Global Cyberattack Disrupts Air Travel, Airport IT Around the World

Strategic Insights -

A massive cyberattack has disrupted air travel and airport IT systems across the globe, with European passengers experiencing chaos for a third day. The European Union has warned that the attack is not an isolated incident, and criminal gangs are using ransomware to target airport IT systems worldwide. The malicious software used in the attack, Muse, is made by Collins Aerospace, a division of Virginia-headquartered defense contractor RTX. Airport systems in Brussels, Berlin, and Dublin are working to return to normal, while London Heathrow has requested airlines to manually check in and board passengers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cyberattack has disrupted air travel and airport IT systems globally, with European passengers experiencing chaos for a third day.
  • The gang behind the attack has not been identified, but typically demands payment in bitcoin, which cannot be traced.
  • European airports, including Brussels, Berlin, and Dublin, are working to return to normal, with London Heathrow requesting airlines to manually check in and board passengers.
  • The affected software, Muse, is made by Collins Aerospace, a division of Virginia-headquartered defense contractor RTX.
  • Collins Aerospace has not confirmed it has regained control and secured the system, but reported that only around 14% and 8% of Monday's departures and arrivals were canceled.
  • London Heathrow reported that the "vast majority of flights at Heathrow are operating as normal," but with some flights taking slightly longer than usual to check in and board.
  • Share prices of European airlines, including International Airlines Group, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair, were down in morning trade.
  • The incident is reminiscent of a July 2024 cyberattack that caused a global IT meltdown, grounding thousands of flights and disrupting multiple industries, including transportation, healthcare, and finance.

Statistics:

  • Only around 14% and 8% of Monday's departures and arrivals were canceled.
  • The "vast majority of flights at Heathrow are operating as normal," with some flights taking slightly longer than usual to check in and board.
  • Share prices of European airlines were down, with International Airlines Group falling by about 1%, EasyJet and Wizz Air falling by about 1%, and Ryanair falling by 1.69%.
  • In July 2024, a cyberattack caused a global IT meltdown, grounding thousands of flights and disrupting multiple industries.

Sources:

  • Byline: PAUL GODFREY Sept. 22 (UPI)
  • Collins Aerospace (no date)
  • The Guardian (no date)
  • The BBC (no date)