Cyberattack 😱 Hits Heathrow, Berlin & Brussels Airports — Flights Delayed, Chaos Ensues!
- MediaFx
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
TL;DRA cyberattack on Collins Aerospace — the company behind check-in and baggage systems at many global airports — has created travel chaos in major European hubs like Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels. Flights are delayed or cancelled, as airports scramble to run things manually. Travellers are being urged to double-check flight status before heading out.
So, what exactly happened?
Big airports in Europe are in full tension mode 😓 after a cyberattack hit the IT systems of Collins Aerospace, a major provider of airline services. This attack has affected the tech used for check-in, baggage drops, and boarding — the very things that help you fly smoothly ✈️.
Heathrow in London, Berlin in Germany, and Brussels in Belgium were some of the top airports hit by this attack. Their systems went down suddenly, and they were forced to switch to manual operations like it’s the 90s again.
Brussels Airport confirmed that they are checking in passengers and boarding flights manually. Because of this, flights are getting delayed, and some have already been cancelled. Four flights were cancelled at Brussels alone, including one to Kigali and one to Amsterdam. That's just the beginning 👀.
Which airlines are affected?
EasyJet has spoken up and said that they’re aware of the issue, but they don’t think their schedule will take a big hit after Saturday. Other airlines haven’t clearly said how badly they’ve been hit, but delays are being reported at multiple terminals.
If you have a flight from any of these cities, don’t take chances. Call up your airline or check their website/app before you pack your bags.
What are the airports saying?
Airport authorities are telling travellers to come early ⏰ and prepare for long queues. Since most of the usual systems are down, passengers are being checked manually, and boarding passes are being printed the old-school way.
Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels all confirmed that they’re still operational, but things are definitely moving slower than normal. Staff at the airports are trying to keep things running, but there’s only so much they can do without the tech they usually depend on.
What’s Collins Aerospace saying?
Collins Aerospace confirmed that only some airports are affected, and it’s mainly the electronic check-in and baggage systems. They're working on getting everything back up, but no official ETA has been given yet.
The company is trying to downplay the issue by saying the impact is "limited", but the scenes at the airports tell a different story.
What should YOU do if you're flying?
Check your flight status online or with the airline directly.
Reach the airport at least 3 hours early — delays are guaranteed.
Carry a printout of your ticket and ID proof, just in case.
Be mentally prepared for confusion and possible cancellations.
Why this is a serious issue 🚨
When systems go down in airports, it’s not just about delays. It’s about real people missing interviews, medical appointments, weddings, and jobs. A single cyberattack has shown how fragile our global travel system is.
In today’s world, where everything is connected, even a small cyberattack can lead to thousands of people getting affected. This incident proves we need stronger, safer digital systems in public infrastructure.
MediaFx Opinion (from people’s POV)
It’s always the common man who suffers the most. Airlines and airports keep increasing ticket prices, cutting staff, and depending too much on tech without proper backups. But when things break down, they expect passengers to adjust. This is not fair.
Governments and aviation authorities need to take accountability. We need better systems, more transparency, and strong data protection. Also, stop blaming staff and passengers when the real issue is the system itself being too dependent on private companies without enough safety checks.
