Major European Airports Hit by Cyberattack, Thousands of Flights Cancelled
Major European airports, including Heathrow in London, Brussels, and Berlin, are grappling with widespread flight cancellations and delays due to a cyberattack on the MUSE check-in and boarding system software supplied by Collins Aerospace. Thousands of passengers have been stranded, and broader travel plans disrupted.
The attack, linked to the hacker group known as Scattered Spider, targeted the MUSE software, forcing airports to revert to manual check-in systems. The incident has been described as a Russian cyberattack against NATO countries by Tom Kellermann, Vice President of Cyber Risk at HITRUST, amidst broader tensions between Russia and NATO.
Experts have warned that uncovering the full scale and cause of the disruption may take weeks or months. Meanwhile, airports are urging passengers to check their flight status before traveling. Brussels Airport has requested that airlines cancel half of Monday's scheduled flights due to the system remaining offline.
Gary Cannon, transport practice lead at NCC Group, highlighted the interconnected nature of the European aviation ecosystem and the risk posed by reliance on single suppliers for key systems. Rob Demain, CEO of e2e-assure, emphasized the necessity for companies to integrate cyber resilience into business continuity planning and conduct regular drills for effective reactions to cyberattacks. Jeff Wichman, Director of Incident Response at Semperis, revealed that attackers often exploit identity systems and target organisations during weekends and holidays.
The cyberattack has caused significant disruption to air travel, with major European airports affected. As investigations continue, cybersecurity analysts stress the importance of proactive security measures to mitigate vulnerabilities in critical services. Passengers are advised to stay informed about their flight status.
