Cyber-attack on three airports leads to disruption for thousands

Thousands of passengers saw their flights cancelled or delayed yesterday after a cyber-attack that affected Heathrow and airports in Berlin and Brussels.

- James Tapper

Hackers targeted software used by airlines to check in passengers and give them boarding passes. Airline staff had to write boarding passes by hand, substantially lengthening the process for travellers.

The check-in systems are provided by Collins Aerospace, a US firm that also produces defence systems and was last week awarded a contract to run Nato's electronic warfare planning. No hacking group immediately claimed responsibility.