A cyberattack has snarled travel at major European airports, including London Heathrow and Brussels, forcing staff to process passengers manually and triggering delays and cancellations. The problems were centered on MUSE software made by Collins Aerospace, which provides systems for several airlines at airports globally.
Brussels Airport said the attack occurred late Friday and was affecting multiple hubs across the continent. The outage prevents passengers from using kiosks or self-service baggage systems, but airlines can still process travelers manually at staffed counters. Collins Aerospace confirmed a “cyber-related disruption” to its software was causing the delays.
While the impact on flights has been limited so far, with 16 departures and 13 arrivals cancelled across London Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg, and Brussels airports, the disruption underscores the fragile and interdependent nature of the digital ecosystem underpinning air travel. Cybersecurity experts warn that the threat is significant and very real, as a single failure can ripple through some of Europe’s busiest hubs, stranding travelers and squeezing airlines already operating on tight schedules.