Technical failure leads to delays and manual procedures
A cyberattack targeting passenger check-in and boarding systems disrupted operations at several major airports across Europe, causing delays and forcing staff to rely on manual processes, airport officials confirmed.
The incident occurred on the night of September 19 and directly affected services such as passenger registration and baggage handling, limiting the normal functioning of airports.
Impact on major airports
At Brussels Airport, authorities reported that both check-in and boarding had to be handled manually, leading to significant delays in flight schedules. Berlin and London also reported similar issues, with operators disconnecting automated systems as a precautionary measure.
London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, stated that the disruption was linked to a technical failure from the service provider responsible for passenger processing, resulting in delays for departing flights.
Service provider response and system recovery
The company supplying the technology confirmed that the issue was related to its MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) software, which supports passenger check-in and baggage operations in airports worldwide. The provider emphasized that manual procedures were available as a backup while teams worked to restore full system functionality.
Meanwhile, Paris-area airports, including Roissy, Orly, and Le Bourget, reported no disruption to their services, highlighting the uneven impact of the cyber incident.
Guidance for travelers
Authorities advised passengers to check flight information in advance and to allow additional time at airports until the situation is fully resolved.
The event underscores the vulnerability of aviation infrastructure to cyberattacks and the importance of strengthening digital security protocols to ensure operational continuity across international airports.
