Major European airports affected as cyberattack disrupts operations

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Operations were disrupted at several major European airports, including London's Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, on Saturday, after a cyberattack at a service provider for check-in and boarding systems. This caused flight delays and cancellations on Saturday.

Collins Airspace, which is the service provider of check-in and boarding systems for several airlines at multiple airports across the world, experienced a technical glitch. London's Heathrow Airport on Saturday said that the issue might cause delays for departing passengers.

The cyberattack left automated systems inoperable and allowed only a manual check-in and boarding process, Brussels Airport confirmed, as per a report by CNN.

Collins Airspace's parent company, RTX RTX.N, however, wasn't immediately available for any comment on the developing situation.

"This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights…The service provider is actively working on the issue and trying to resolve the problem as quickly as possible," the airport said.

Affected airports further advised passengers with a flight schedule on Saturday to confirm their travel with airlines before reaching the airport.

RTX RTX.N, Collins Aerospace’s parent, was not immediately available for comment outside of U.S. business hours.

“Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution,” Berlin Airport said in an announcement on its website.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport FRAG.DE, which is Germany’s largest, was not affected, a spokesperson from the airport said. Moreover, CNN reported that an official from the operations control centre at Zurich Airport also said it had not been impacted.