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What happened
A cyber-attack on Collins Aerospace has severely disrupted air travel across Europe, particularly affecting Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports. The attack, which targeted check-in desk software, forced airlines to revert to slower manual check-ins starting Friday night. By Sunday, Heathrow reported that 90% of its flights had been delayed, with an average delay of 34 minutes, while Brussels airport requested airlines to cancel half of their Monday departures. In Berlin, 73% of flights were delayed due to the systems outage. Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, is working to restore functionality, and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre is collaborating with authorities to assess the impact of the incident. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses and arrive at airports with ample time.
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Key insights
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Widespread Flight Delays
90% of Heathrow flights faced delays due to the cyber-attack.
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2
Brussels Flight Cancellations
Brussels airport requested airlines to cancel half of Monday's flights.
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3
Manual Check-Ins Implemented
Airlines reverted to manual check-ins as a response to the software outage.
Takeaways
The cyber-attack highlights vulnerabilities in airport operations and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.