Dublin Airport Faces Ongoing Havoc After Cyber-Attack

Dublin Airport is reeling from a second consecutive day of chaos at Terminal 2 due to a crippling cyber-attack that has knocked out its check-in and baggage systems. Travelers are feeling the brunt of this crisis, with airlines scrambling to manage the fallout.

IT Experts to the Rescue!

In a bid to restore normalcy, IT specialists from the United States are on their way to Dublin to investigate the technical malfunctions. This intervention underscores the severity of the ‘Europe-wide technical issue’ affecting operations.

Flight Cancellations and Delays Continue

As of midday today, 13 flights have already been canceled—nine inbound and four outbound—primarily by Aer Lingus, which warned travelers of significant impacts to their schedules. Passengers are urged to check in online ahead of their flights to reduce hassle.

Manual Workarounds Lengthen Wait Times

Graeme McQueen, a spokesperson for Dublin Airport, stated that the team is actively supporting airlines that are grappling with ongoing disruptions. Some are resorting to manual processes to create bag tags and boarding passes, leading to longer wait times at the airport.

Advice for Travelers: Arrive Early!

Travelers are advised to maintain their usual arrival times—two hours before short-haul and three hours before long-haul flights—but should allow additional time for check-in and bag drop-offs. Those flying in the next 12 to 48 hours should stay vigilant for updates from their airlines, which are doing their best to manage the situation.

Understanding the Cyber Disruption

RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the cyber-related issues affecting its systems at various airports. The Muse software, which facilitates shared check-in desks and boarding gates for airlines, is at the heart of the problem. However, RTX has not yet provided details on what went wrong or when a fix might be implemented.

Security Alert Adds to the Tension

To top it all off, Terminal 2 experienced an evacuation on Saturday due to a security alert involving a suspicious piece of luggage. The situation was resolved after police and the Irish army's explosive disposal unit were called in, giving the terminal the all-clear soon after.