Brussels Airport Cancels Flights After Major Cyberattack Disrupts Systems

European Airports Paralyzed by Cyberattack on Check-in Systems

Brussels Airport has announced significant flight cancellations for tomorrow following a major cyberattack that disrupted passenger processing systems across multiple European airports. The attack targeted an external supplier responsible for check-in and boarding systems, forcing airports to revert to manual processing methods.

Widespread Disruption Across Europe

The cyberattack has caused chaos at several major European hubs including London Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg, and Dublin Airport. Brussels Airport has taken the most drastic measures, requesting all airlines to cancel half of their scheduled flights to prevent extensive delays and last-minute cancellations.

"We are working around the clock to restore normal operations, but passenger safety and minimizing disruption remain our top priorities," stated a Brussels Airport spokesperson.

Manual Processing Creates Chaos

With automated systems compromised, airports have been forced to process passengers manually, leading to massive queues and significant delays. Travelers are advised to only come to the airport if their flight has been confirmed and they have successfully checked in online beforehand.

Some Airports Unaffected

Interestingly, not all European airports were impacted. Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, along with Frankfurt and Hamburg airports, reported normal operations. A European Commission spokesperson told Reuters that there are currently no indications of a "widespread or serious attack."

Cybersecurity in Aviation

This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats. According to cybersecurity experts, the aviation industry has become increasingly targeted due to its reliance on interconnected systems and the potential for maximum disruption.

The identity of the attackers remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing to determine the scope and origin of the attack. Aviation authorities across Europe are coordinating response efforts while cybersecurity teams work to restore affected systems.