Many flights have been delayed and canceled in three of the largest European airports-including London’s largest airport, Heathrow-after cyberattacking the company that has developed the software used for check-in and boarding.

Brussels and Berlin airports also face delays and disorders as a result of the problem affecting Collins Aerospace, which works with several airlines at airports around the world, the Guardian notes.

The attack has caused concerns about the durability of critical infrastructure systems, with a cyber security expert suggesting that the disorder could theoretically spread to more airports. UK Minister of Transport, Hendi Alexander, said he is constantly informed of the situation

“I have been informed of an incident that affects check-in and boarding processes, with consequences for flights to Heathrow and other European airports,” Alexander said. “I receive regular updates and watch the situation. If you are traveling from Heathrow today, contact your airline before the trip. “

Muse software

The attack has influenced Collins Muse software. The company is a subsidiary of the RTX, which provides advice to other cyber security companies, as well as military support services.

Heathrow said passengers should check their flight status before traveling and asked them not to reach three hours before a long distance flight or two hours before an internal flight.

Brussels Airport announced that the attack took place on Friday night and that, as a result, check-in and boarding procedures could only be handled manually.

“This has a major impact on the flight program and, unfortunately, it will cause delays and cancellations,” he said in the statement. The airport advised passengers to check their flight status with the airline and to go to the airport only if their flight has been confirmed.

Berlin Airport said: “Due to a technical problem in a systems provider operating throughout Europe, there are longer waiting times in check-in. We are working to find a quick solution. “

Collins Aerospace said: “We have been informed of a muse -related disorder at specific airports. We are actively working to solve the problem and restore full functionality for our customers as soon as possible. The impact is limited to the electronic check-in of customers and the luggage delivery and can be mitigated by manual check-in procedures. We will share more details as soon as they are available. “

Monitors the event the Commission

The European Commission said that it is “closely monitoring” cyberattack, adding: “While passengers are facing disorders, air transport safety and air traffic control remain unaffected … The current signs do not indicate an extensive or serious attack.”

Alan Woodword, a cyber security professor at the University of Surrey, said the incident posed serious questions about why airports seem to depend on Collins to solve the problem with the Muse.

This suggests that the system control was probably central. If Collins is forced to close it to tackle the problem, he said, “the upheaval will be huge.”

Woodword also questioned the fact that, since the Muse is used in airports across Europe, only three had been affected. He said that if the system was really central, it left open the possibility that only some of the airports they could target had so far chosen.

Maria Casey, from Aldershot in Hampshire, was on the way to two -week vacation with a backpack in Krabi, southern Thailand, flying via Abu Dhabi. However, Etihad’s flight departing at 9.30am. He delayed and ended up waiting in the queue for three hours, because luggage receipt had to be manually tagged with hand -written luggage.

“Only two counter had personal, so we were upset,” he told the PA news agency. “We didn’t know then that it was cyberattack up to four hours later.”

Brussels Airport cancels half the flights

Brussels Airport announced on Saturday night that half of the scheduled for Sunday flights should be canceled due to the ongoing problems caused by the cyberattack of the Collins Aerospace Services and Boarding Services.

Cyberattack has caused problems in the operation of many major airports in Europe, including Brussels, Heathrow and Berlin.

“Brussels Airport asked the airlines to cancel half of the scheduled departures on Sunday, September 21, in order to avoid high queues and delayed cancellations,” a Belgian airport spokesman said on Saturday night.