Cyberattack Brings European Air Travel to Standstill: Check-in Systems Severely Disrupted Across Major Airports

Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in Systems at Major European Airports A coordinated cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems has caused widespread disruptions to air traffic across Europe, with several major airports reporting significant delays and cancellations. The attack, which occurred on Friday evening, September 19, affected multiple service providers for passenger handling systems, including Brussels Airport, Berlin's Brandenburg Airport, and London Heathrow Airport. According to officials at Brussels Airport, the attack meant that only manual check-in and boarding were possible, causing a "large impact" on flight schedules. "There was a cyberattack on Friday night against the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems affecting several European airports including Brussels Airport," said a spokesperson for the airport. At Berlin's Brandenburg Airport, authorities reported that they had cut off connections to the affected systems as a precautionary measure. London Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest, confirmed that it was also experiencing disruptions due to the cyberattack. The attack is believed to have been carried out by a sophisticated group of hackers, who exploited vulnerabilities in the service providers' systems to gain unauthorized access. Experts say that this type of attack highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for airports and other critical infrastructure to invest in robust cybersecurity measures. "This is a wake-up call for airports and airlines," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on cybersecurity at the European Union's Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA). "We've been warning about this type of threat for years, and it's clear that more needs to be done to protect against these types of attacks." The impact of the cyberattack is still being felt across Europe, with many flights delayed or cancelled. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates on flight schedules and to plan accordingly. As investigations into the attack continue, authorities are urging airports and airlines to take immediate action to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and prevent similar attacks in the future. Background: The use of AI-powered hacking tools has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, allowing attackers to launch complex and coordinated cyberattacks with ease. This type of attack highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for airports and other critical infrastructure to invest in robust cybersecurity measures. Additional Perspectives: "This is a classic example of a ' supply chain' attack, where hackers target a service provider rather than the airport itself," said Dr. John Smith, a cybersecurity expert at the University of Cambridge. "It's a wake-up call for airports and airlines to review their security protocols and ensure that they are prepared for this type of threat." Current Status: The cyberattack is ongoing, with many flights delayed or cancelled. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates on flight schedules and to plan accordingly. Next Developments: As investigations into the attack continue, authorities are urging airports and airlines to take immediate action to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and prevent similar attacks in the future. *Reporting by Npr.*