Core Points - A cyber attack on Collins Aerospace's MUSE software has caused significant disruptions at several European airports, including Heathrow, Berlin, Brussels, and Dublin [1][3][6] - The attack began on the evening of September 19, leading to a reliance on manual check-in processes, which are less efficient [3][6] - The incident has resulted in widespread flight delays and cancellations, with Heathrow reporting that 90% of over 350 flights were delayed by at least 15 minutes as of September 21 [3][4] Summary by Category Impact on Airports - Heathrow Airport experienced delays affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers, with an average delay of 34 minutes reported [3] - Brussels Airport had 86% of flights delayed, and a cancellation rate of 15% over two days, with specific cancellations on the weekend [3] - Berlin Airport saw 73% of approximately 200 flights delayed, while Dublin Airport also faced delays due to manual processes [3] Response and Mitigation - Heathrow has deployed additional staff to help manage the situation [4] - Brussels Airport advised travelers to confirm flight statuses and suggested earlier arrival times for long and short-haul flights [4] - Collins Aerospace acknowledged the issue and is working to restore full functionality, while the UK National Cyber Security Centre is assessing the impact [6] Industry Insights - The incident highlights the vulnerability of the aviation industry to cyber attacks, particularly due to reliance on shared digital systems [6] - Experts suggest that attacks often exploit supply chains, affecting multiple airlines and airports simultaneously [6] - Recommendations include regular software updates and the establishment of tested backup systems, along with improved information sharing among airlines, technology providers, and governments [6]