A cyber attack targeting the Muse recording software, provided by Collins Aerospace , significantly disrupted traffic at Brussels airports, Heathrow in London, and Berlin this Saturday, September 20. Passengers experienced delays , cancellations , and long queues as a result of the incident.
Key Takeaways
A cyber attack affecting Muse software disrupted passengers across major European airports—including Brussels, Heathrow, and Berlin—on Saturday.
Manual registration processes led to significant delays and cancellations; Eurocontrol advised canceling up to 50% of flights to Heathrow.
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, is working on a rapid resolution; cyber attacks in aviation have surged by 600% between January 2024 and April 2025.
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The European airports of Brussels , Heathrow in London, and Berlin were disrupted on Saturday due to a cyber attack on software designed for recording passengers. Travelers faced extensive waiting periods, sometimes enduring hours before they could complete necessary formalities.
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“We are informed of a cyber-origin disturbance on our Muse software affecting several airports,” said Collins Aerospace in a brief statement, adding that the impact was limited to electronic recording of customers and luggage deposits .
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The specifics regarding the nature and origin of the cyber attack were not disclosed. According to Brussels Airport, the incident occurred “ Friday evening .”
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<h2 class="txt-int">Long Wait Times and Cancellations</h2>
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“This has had significant consequences on the flight program and will regrettably result in delays and cancellations,” an airport spokesperson commented. By midday Saturday, several flights had been disrupted, with reports indicating that over 10 flights had been canceled and 17 flights experienced delays of more than an hour due to the need for manual check-in.
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Imagery captured by the AFP showcased long queues forming near the check-in counters. At London’s Heathrow airport, long lines were visible in front of the majority of terminal 4 counters , as reported by an AFP journalist.
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A 41-year-old architect, Rowan, stated, “The system was down, which significantly increased passenger numbers waiting to check in.”
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<h2 class="txt-int">Passengers' Experiences</h2>
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An unnamed Algerian treasurer shared her distress at waiting more than an hour just to check in her baggage. “It feels stagnant. They’ve told us everything must be handled manually,” she reflected, worried about missing her flight.
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Maria Casey, a traveler from Hampshire , recounted her experience of waiting for three hours to check in for her Etihad flight to Thailand via Abu Dhabi . “They had to write our labels by hand. Only two counters were open, and we were furious,” she expressed.
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<h2 class="txt-int">Extended Registration Process</h2>
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According to the BBC , Eurocontrol, an airline surveillance organization, recommended airlines cancel half of their flights to Heathrow between 4 AM GMT and 2 AM GMT on Sunday due to the incident.
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Heathrow airport advised passengers to check in with their airlines and arrive early to accommodate the lengthy registration process. Meanwhile, Berlin airport confirmed it was also affected by this “ technical problem with a supplier .”
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Contrarily, the ADP group, which operates Parisian airports Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, reported no impact from the incident. In its communications, Collins Aerospace stated they were working to resolve the issue “as quickly as possible.”
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<h2 class="txt-int">A Surge in Cyber Attacks</h2>
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Collins Aerospace is a subsidiary of the American aerospace and defense company RTX (formerly Raytheon ). The increase in digital threats has prompted concerns about cyber attacks disrupting air travel globally.
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A report from Thales , a defense and technology group, indicated that 27 ransomware attacks against aviation entities occurred between January 2024 and April 2025, marking a 600% increase compared to the previous year, targeting airlines, airports, navigation systems, and even subcontractors.
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In July , Australian airline Qantas fell victim to hackers, who gained access to sensitive data for six million customers . In December 2024 , Japan Airlines also faced a cyber attack.
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The recent disruptions highlight the growing vulnerabilities within our critical infrastructure systems and signify the pressing need for enhancing cybersecurity in the aviation sector. As technology becomes increasingly integral to our travel experience, ensuring security measures are robust and up-to-date is paramount to protect against future threats.