Heathrow Airport Hit by Major Cyberattack, Flights Across Europe Disrupted
Heathrow Airport has been caught in the crossfire of a sweeping cyberattack that crippled several major European travel hubs on Saturday, throwing passengers’ plans into chaos.
The UK’s busiest airport confirmed that a third-party system failure had forced check-in and boarding to slow to a crawl, triggering widespread flight delays and cancellations.
The same issue struck Brussels and Berlin airports, pointing to a coordinated hit on the service provider powering their automated systems.
Check-in kiosks and boarding gates were left useless. Staff were forced to process passengers manually, creating long queues and frayed tempers.
Brussels Airport admitted the disruption had a “large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights.”
A spokesperson for the operator added, “The service provider is actively working on the issue and trying to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”
Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers.
While the provider works to resolve the problem quickly, we advise… pic.twitter.com/f68e9CbIlu
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) September 20, 2025
Heathrow echoed those warnings, advising travellers to brace for delays caused by what it described as “a technical issue” with an external supplier.
Berlin Airport posted a similar alert, stating, “Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution.”
Passengers listed to fly on Saturday were prompted to double-check flight details with their airlines before making the trip to the field.
Numerous set themselves up stranded in terminal couches, with some departures predicated and others departing hours behind schedule.
The attack has raised immediate questions about the cybersecurity of Europe’s air travel infrastructure, as airports scramble to restore normal operations and protect sensitive passenger data.
For UK passengers caught in the dislocation, consumer protection rules still apply. Under Civil Aviation Authority guidelines, airlines operating from the UK or the EU are required to give compensation during cancellations or significant delays.
This includes refectory, hostel accommodation where necessary, and indispensable flight arrangements.
Citizens Advice reminds travelers to keep bills for any out-of-pocket costs, such as refills or transport to a hostel, as airlines are obliged to repay “ reasonable ” charges.
Validations for food and accommodation are frequently distributed in the field. Still, extravagant spending, like minibar splurges or luxury suites, may not be covered.
Trippers flying with non-UK or non-EU carriers should check individual airline programs, though most transnational carriers follow analogous norms in extremities.
The full scale of the cyberattack remains unclear. Investigators are working to determine whether it was a targeted assault on Europe’s aeronautics network or an opportunistic breach of a critical service provider.
For now, passengers at Heathrow Airport and its European counterparts face a long weekend of queries.
Airlines are prompting tolerance while specialized brigades race to bring systems back online and keep the mainland’s air business moving.
