Cyber-Attack Disrupts Air Travel, Canceling or Delaying Thousands of Flights

Thousands of passengers had their flights canceled or delayed after a cyber-attack that targeted software used by airlines to check in passengers and provide boarding passes. The attack, which was launched late on Friday night, affected Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels airports, with 29 flights canceled out of over 1,000. The cyber-attack was attributed to a disruption of Collins Aerospace's Muse software, which is used for electronic customer check-in and baggage drop.

Key Takeaways:

• The cyber-attack targeted software used by airlines to check in passengers and provide boarding passes, leading to the cancellation or delay of thousands of flights.
• The attack affected Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels airports, with 29 flights canceled out of over 1,000.
• The National Cyber Security Centre is working with Collins Aerospace, the airports, and police to investigate the attack.
• The attack timing has raised suspicions that it may be directed by Russia, particularly as it coincided with Nato jets intercepting three Russian MiG-31 jets in Estonian airspace and Russian airstrikes in Ukraine.
• The Royal United Services Institute suggests that most hacking incidents are opportunistic ransomware attempts, rather than as a direct attack by a nation-state.
• Collins Aerospace, a US firm that produces defense systems and was recently awarded a contract to run Nato's electronic warfare planning, is providing the check-in systems for the affected airports.

Statistics:

• 29 flights were canceled out of over 1,000 from the three airports, according to aviation data provider Cirium.
• The cyber-attack was launched late on Friday night and had a significant impact on air travel, with queues snaking around the terminals and some passengers waiting for over 10 hours.
• Collins Aerospace has acknowledged a "cyber-related disruption" to their Muse software, but stated it is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop.

Sources:

• James Tapper, "Thousands of passengers saw their flights cancelled or delayed yesterday after a cyber-attack that affected Heathrow and airports in Berlin and Brussels."
• Collins Aerospace, "Became aware of a cyber-related disruption to our Muse software in select airports."
• Cirium, "29 flights had been cancelled, according to Cirium, the aviation data provider, out of more than 1,000 from the three airports."
• Royal United Services Institute, suggestion made by cybersecurity experts.