Chaos after cyberattack on European airport systems

Thousands of travellers have faced major flight disruptions and cancellations after a cyberattack wreaked havoc on systems at airports across Europe.

- By NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE SIMON CALDER

Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports were among those impacted by the attack on Collins Aerospace, a company that provides check-in and baggage drop systems for major transport hubs, with dozens of flights cancelled across the three sites.

Huge, hours-long queues were reported as flights to key travel destinations, including Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Paris, were hit by delays and cancellations. Passengers at Heathrow and Brussels were warned to check their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport.

Travel experts said the cyberattack was “deeply concerning” and warned flights could be disrupted for days if the issue wasn’t solved quickly.

Passengers also faced delays at Dublin airport after Terminal 2 was evacuated yesterday morning, due to a suspicious luggage item. The army’s bomb disposal team, known as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, was deployed following a request from the Garda.

“Following a preliminary examination on scene, the piece of luggage was contained and deemed safe for removal from T2 to an alternate location which would not impact on airport operations,” the Garda said in a statement. The terminal reopened later in the afternoon. Tereza Pultarova, a journalist from London, was one of the thousands of passengers affected at Heathrow, where at least 13 flights had been cancelled by the afternoon.