Major Cyberattack Causes Widespread Disruptions Across European Airports

Recently, several major airports across Europe and the UK – including London Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, experienced disruption after a ransomware attack targeted passenger check-in and boarding systems. The incident, which affected third-party software providers, forced staff to switch to manual check-in. This led to delays, long queues and some flight cancellations.

What is ransomware and why is aviation vulnerable?

Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks or encrypts digital systems until a ransom is paid. In this case, attackers disrupted check-in software used by multiple airports across Europe. Without access to automated systems, staff had to revert to manual operations, slowing down processes

Although air traffic control and safety systems were not compromised, the event underlined how dependent aviation is on digital infrastructure and how vulnerable it can be to cyber threats. With ransomware on the rise, operational continuity and resilience have become as critical as physical safety.

At XS Aviation, we believe incidents like this are a reminder that resilience in aviation is not just about technical compliance – it’s about being prepared for the unexpected whether that’s a sudden cyberattack, an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) event, or unforeseen supply chain delays.

Our work focuses on supporting airlines, operators and partners with strategies that keep aviation running smoothly, whether the challenge is operational, technical or regulatory.

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Article Source: https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2025/security/ransomware-attack-behind-widespread-airport-disruptions-eu-agency-say