Heathrow Faces Continued Disruption as Cyber-Attack Fallout Lingers

Tue Oct 14 2025 23:30:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Airports across Europe, including Heathrow, are experiencing severe delays and operational challenges due to a cyber-attack that compromised key check-in and baggage systems, leading to a chaotic travel experience for passengers.

In the wake of a cyber-attack affecting major European airports, passengers at Heathrow and Brussels are experiencing extended delays and cancellations. The incident led to the use of manual check-in methods, with many individuals waiting hours to check in. Airline operators have been forced to navigate these disruptions while authorities work to assess and restore affected systems. Despite the challenges, airports are urging travelers to stay updated on their flight statuses as they work to resume normal operations.

Air travellers are facing another day of disruption at several European airports including Heathrow, after a cyber-attack knocked out a check-in and baggage system.

There were hundreds of delays on Saturday after the software used by several airlines failed, with affected airports boarding passengers using pen and paper.

Brussels Airport said it had 'no indication yet' when the system would be functional again and had asked airlines to cancel half their departing flights.

RTX, which owns software provider Collins Aerospace, noted it was aware of a cyber-related disruption to its system in select airports and hoped to resolve the issue swiftly.

The Muse software that allows different airlines to check in at the same desks was identified as the problem. Although the company has not disclosed specifics about the nature of the disruption or its duration, Heathrow indicated that efforts to resolve the issue were ongoing.

Heathrow has apologized for delays but emphasized that 'the vast majority of flights have continued to operate.' They urge passengers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport.

During the chaos, British Airways reportedly operated normally using backup systems, while other airlines struggled with the outage. Passengers expressed frustration, with accounts of hours-long queues and missed connections.

Brussels Airport is also continuing manual check-in, with extra staff on hand to assist, while other airports like Dublin and Berlin are adapting their operations to manage the fallout.

The National Cyber Security Centre and the European Commission are monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that affected parties are supported as investigations continue.

This incident echoes previous concerns about the digital vulnerabilities within the aviation industry, reminding us of the potential threats future systems may face.