Cyber-Attack Causes Widespread Disruption at Heathrow Airport for Second Consecutive Day
A cyber-attack has caused widespread disruption at Heathrow Airport for the second consecutive day, with hundreds of delays reported on Saturday after a critical software system was knocked out. The Muse software, used by several airlines to manage check-in and baggage systems, is still down, with Brussels Airport warning that it may not be functional again until further notice.
According to RTX, which owns software provider Collins Aerospace, the company is "aware of a cyber-related disruption" to its system in "select airports." The affected airports include Heathrow, where hundreds of delays were reported on Saturday after the software failure. Brussels Airport, another affected airport, has asked airlines to cancel half their departing flights for Monday.
The situation at Heathrow was described as chaotic by passengers who took to social media to share their experiences. "I've been waiting in line for over two hours and I'm still not checked in," said one passenger, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's absolute chaos here."
According to Brussels Airport, the system is expected to be down until further notice, with no indication of when it will be functional again. The airport has asked airlines to cancel half their departing flights for Monday as a precautionary measure.
The cyber-attack on Heathrow and other European airports is not an isolated incident. According to experts, such attacks are becoming increasingly common, with many airports relying on outdated software systems that are vulnerable to cyber threats.
"It's a wake-up call for the aviation industry," said cybersecurity expert, Dr. Maria Rodriguez. "Airports need to invest in robust security measures and update their software systems to prevent such disruptions in the future."
The situation at Heathrow is expected to continue into Monday, with passengers advised to check their flight status before traveling to the airport and arrive early due to potential delays.
In a statement, RTX said it was "working closely with its partners" to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The company has not provided any further details on the nature of the cyber-attack or how it plans to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the situation at Heathrow continues to unfold, passengers are advised to remain vigilant and check their flight status regularly for updates.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, BBC Business and BREAKING: BBC Breaking.
