(Image source from: REUTERS)

A cyberattack aimed at a service provider for check-in and boarding systems led to major problems at several top European airports, such as London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, on Saturday. This incident caused major delays and many flight cancellations, affecting thousands of travelers throughout Europe. Collins Aerospace, the company responsible for the impacted systems used by airlines and airports everywhere, mentioned that they are experiencing ongoing technical difficulties related to the attack. Heathrow Airport cautioned passengers who were leaving about possible delays and recommended they keep a close eye on their flight status during this disturbance. Brussels Airport verified that automated check-in and boarding services were down, forcing employees to manage departing passengers manually. "This greatly affects the flight schedule and will sadly lead to delays and cancellations... The service provider is actively addressing the issue and working hard to fix it quickly," the airport remarked.

Travelers scheduled to depart on Saturday were encouraged by airport officials to check in with their airline before heading out. The disruption impacted travelers at various sites, with the level of delays differing between airports and airlines. Berlin Airport also shared information about the situation through a banner on its site, indicating: "Due to a technical problem at a service provider operating across Europe, wait times during check-in are longer. We are seeking a speedy resolution," Berlin Airport mentioned in the website banner. However, Poland’s deputy prime minister and digital affairs minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, stated on Saturday that there were no signs of threats to the nation’s airports, even though cyberattacks have affected operations in various regions of Europe. "Information about the situation is being continuously collected, and Polish officials are in communication with authorities in other nations," Gawkowski posted on X. Additionally, Frankfurt Airport, the largest in Germany, reported normal operations, with a spokesperson confirming there was no impact. Zurich Airport also indicated it was not affected, according to an official from the operations control center.