Cyber Chaos Cripples European Airports, Stranding Thousands

Endless queues, eight-hour waits, major delays still expected... it has proven difficult or even impossible to check in passengers for boarding at the airports in Brussels and other European cities due to a cyberattack that has paralyzed and disrupted air traffic across Europe since Friday evening until now. This cyberattack has indeed rendered unusable the software designed by the American company Collins Aerospace that allows for baggage check-in and boarding pass issuance, Belga reports.

This "cyberattack" occurred "on Friday evening", as can be read on the Brussels Airport website. It is specified that more than 40% of scheduled flights have been canceled or have taken off with more than 3 hours of delay. "This will have significant consequences on the flight schedule and will unfortunately result in delays and cancellations," the airport added. "We are informed of a cyber-related disruption to our MUSE software at several airports," Collins Aerospace said in a brief statement. The American company adds: the impact "is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop-off."

For now, the situation has not been resolved. As a result, flights will also have to be canceled this Sunday at Brussels Airport. In total, 44 of the 257 departing flights are affected, including six that will be diverted, instead of half as initially planned, says spokeswoman Ihsane Chioua Lekhli. Among them, the AT637/AT831 flights of Royal Air Maroc to Marrakech and Rabat respectively, and the TB2581 flight of TUI Fly to Marrakech. Brussels Airport then advises passengers to check the status of their flight before going to the airport and to only go there if their trip is confirmed. They are also recommended to arrive at the airport on time, i.e. two hours in advance for Schengen flights and three hours in advance for non-Schengen flights.