BERLIN: Berlin-Brandenburg Airport experienced a significant cybersecurity breach late Friday, with officials confirming that the attack targeted an external technology partner rather than the airport’s internal systems. As a precautionary measure, key systems were disconnected, leading to slower check-in and boarding procedures. The immediate effect was long queues and delays, with several flights pushed back, causing disruption to travelers and operational schedules alike. Airport staff worked to manage passenger flow manually while IT teams assessed the breach and implemented containment measures.
The disruption extended beyond Berlin, affecting airports across Europe. Brussels Airport reported serious operational consequences, as check-in and boarding were conducted manually, resulting in congestion in departure areas and a slower processing of passengers. Airport authorities urged travelers to verify their flight status before traveling to the airport and to arrive earlier than usual if flights were confirmed. The cascading impact demonstrated how reliant modern airports are on centralized technological services and external providers for smooth operations.
London’s Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest hub, also faced potential delays due to the same external service provider being compromised. Officials at Heathrow confirmed monitoring the situation closely while working to restore normal operations, though they did not specify the full extent of any delays. Airlines and airport personnel coordinated to minimize passenger inconvenience, implementing alternative workflows to keep flights moving while cybersecurity teams worked on recovery protocols.
Investigations into the cyberattack remain ongoing. Authorities have not yet confirmed the perpetrators or their motives. Emergency cybersecurity teams from the affected external provider are collaborating with impacted airports to contain the breach, assess the damage, and restore digital systems. Analysts have highlighted that this incident underscores the vulnerability of interconnected aviation technology systems and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures across critical infrastructure in the travel and logistics sectors.
