Chaos Strikes European Airports Due to Ransomware Attack

A massive ransomware incident wreaked havoc at several key European airports over the weekend, according to the European Union's cybersecurity agency, ENISA. Law enforcement agencies are now probing this serious cyberattack.

The chaos began on Saturday when operations at major airports such as Berlin, Brussels, and London faced significant disruptions due to a targeted cyber attack on a third-party service provider responsible for check-in and boarding systems.

Berlin Marathon Participants Among Those Affected

Among those caught in the turmoil were runners and visitors in Berlin for the city’s famous marathon. Operations at Berlin Airport continued to be affected into Monday, causing major inconvenience for travelers.

Flight Cancellations and Delays Pile Up

Brussels Airport warned that ongoing disruptions would significantly impact its flight schedule. They advised airlines to cancel up to half of Sunday’s departures to prevent severe overcrowding and late cancellations. Travelers were urged to confirm their flight status before arriving at the airport.

According to Cirium, an aviation data service, at least 29 flights had been canceled at Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels airports, with hundreds of additional departures and arrivals affected.

Collins Aerospace Confirms Cyber-Related Disruption

The service provider Collins Aerospace reported a 'cyber-related disruption' affecting check-in and baggage drop systems. They assured that manual operations could mitigate the impact, although long queues were still expected at several airports.

Wider Impact Across Europe

Not only major airports were affected; Dublin and Cork Airports in Ireland reported minor disruptions. The incident aligns with a troubling rise in cyberattacks on infrastructure, as just a day prior, St. Petersburg's airport website had also been hacked.

Travelers across Europe are advised to stay updated on their flight statuses and prepare for potential delays as authorities work to resolve this cyber crisis.