European airports under cyberattack, Berlin included

A cyberattack has disrupted flight operations at several European airports, causing delays and cancellations. The attack, confirmed by Collins Aerospace, is believed to be a "cyber-related malfunction" that has affected a Europe-wide system provider.

At the heart of the disruption is Brussels Airport, where ten flights have been cancelled and 17 others delayed by more than an hour. The airport itself was not the target of the cyber-attack, but is indirectly affected due to a technical malfunction with the service provider, specifically Collins Aerospace. The malfunction affects passenger handling systems, including check-in and baggage drop-off.

As a result, passengers are advised to check their flight status with the airline before traveling and plan enough time at the airport. Manual check-in and boarding procedures are being used as a workaround, and lines at check-in counters are longer than usual. Online check-in, however, is still functioning.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has also been affected by the disruptions, with some flights experiencing short and longer delays. The airport has set up a crisis team to manage the situation.

London Heathrow Airport has also announced potential delays due to the technical issues. It is currently unknown which other airports may be affected.

In contrast, airports such as Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Hannover, Dresden, Leipzig/Halle, Düsseldorf, Bremen, and Cologne are not affected and are operating normally.

On Friday evening, the airport in Münster was affected but recovered within 30 minutes with no impacts for passengers.

Collins Aerospace is a company involved in various areas of aerospace technology, including manufacturing components, military applications, and space technology. The company is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

The IT service provider SITA, which experienced a cyberattack, has been the cause of the disruptions. The service provider is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At affected airports, paper lists and pencils are being used for checking off passengers due to the malfunction. Passengers are advised to stay updated and follow the instructions of airport staff.

No other European airports have reported any issues so far. It is hoped that the situation will be resolved soon, minimising the impact on passengers and flight operations.