This Saturday, travellers at some of Europeās busiest airports found themselves unexpectedly grounded when a cyberattack targeted a critical check-in and boarding systems provider. From Heathrow to Berlin and Brussels, dozens of departures were cancelled and hundreds of flights faced delays as IT infrastructure went offline.
According to aviation data firm Cirium, as of 11:30 GMT, 29 scheduled departures and arrivals at these three hubs had been called off. Heathrow had 651 departures planned, Brussels 228, and Berlin 226. In Ireland, both Dublin and Cork airports reported minor service hiccups, prompting airlines to advise passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the tarmac.
The European Commission confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation. While the IT glitch disrupted ground operations, aviation safety and air traffic control remained fully functional. Working alongside national cybersecurity units, Commission and airport officials are racing to restore systems and resume normal schedules.
British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and German cyber defense teams are receiving regular updates, and initial assessments suggest this attack was targeted rather than a widespread onslaught. For globe-trotting young professionals, entrepreneurs or students planning their next trip, this incident underscores how digital vulnerabilities can ripple through modern travel networks.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
