European Airport Disruptions: Ransomware Attack Aftermath

Ransomware Attack Continues to Disrupt European Airports

A continuing ransomware incident targeting Collins Aerospace, a provider of check-in systems to numerous European airports, is now entering its fourth consecutive day of causing widespread travel disruptions.

Flight Delays Across Major Hubs

Current data, as reported by FlightRadar24, a real-time air traffic monitoring service, indicates significant delays at several key airports.

• London Heathrow is experiencing delays for 90% of flights, averaging 29 minutes.
• Brussels Airport reports 88% of flights delayed, with an average delay of 43 minutes.
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport shows 94% of flights affected, with an average delay of one hour.
• Dublin Airport is seeing 91% of flights delayed, averaging 26 minutes.

Dublin Airport’s spokesperson, Graeme McQueen, communicated to TechCrunch that there is currently no estimated timeframe for a resolution. Airlines are actively implementing manual procedures while efforts to rectify the IT problems impacting check-in and boarding systems continue.

Airport Responses and Expected Disruptions

Brussels Airport has posted on X (formerly Twitter) anticipating “limited disruptions” on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Their official website states that the service provider is diligently working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, but a definitive resolution timeline remains uncertain.

Ihsane Chioua Lekhli, a spokesperson for Brussels Airport, informed TechCrunch that while “over 90% of the scheduled flights can depart today,” some delays are still occurring.

Berlin Airport’s website currently warns passengers to expect “longer waiting times.”

Dennis Dobrowolski, spokesperson for Berlin Airport, stated to TechCrunch that airport operations are “stabilizing,” but delays are still possible for both departures and baggage handling processes.

A request for comment sent to a Heathrow spokesperson has not yet received a response.

Confirmation of Ransomware Attack

On Monday, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) officially confirmed that the airport disruptions were the result of a ransomware attack against Collins Aerospace.

RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, has not yet provided a statement regarding the progress of recovery efforts following the cyberattack.

This article was updated to incorporate statements from representatives of Brussels and Berlin airports.