European Airport Cyberattack Exposes Aviation Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

European Airport Cyberattack Exposes Critical Vulnerabilities in Aviation Infrastructure

The September 20, 2025 cyberattack on Collins Aerospace’s passenger processing systems represents a significant escalation in threats targeting critical aviation infrastructure across Europe. The incident, which disrupted operations at major Airports including Brussels, Berlin Brandenburg, and London Heathrow, forced thousands of passengers into manual check-in processes and highlighted the aviation industry’s dangerous dependence on interconnected digital systems. With over 35,000 passengers affected at Brussels Airport alone and flight cancellations reaching 50% during peak hours, the attack demonstrates how a single point of failure in third-party systems can cascade across Europe’s busiest transportation hubs. This incident occurs against a backdrop of unprecedented growth in aviation cyberattacks, with the sector experiencing a 600% increase in ransomware attacks over the past year, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity resilience across the industry’s complex Supply-Chain networks.

The disruption not only stranded travelers and forced Airlines to revert to manual operations but also exposed systemic weaknesses within critical transportation technology platforms. As cyber threats targeting the aviation sector continue to rise, this attack highlights the necessity for comprehensive, industry-wide security protocols and coordinated response strategies to safeguard international airport networks and maintain public trust in air travel.

This article examines the events and implications of the September 2025 cyberattack, analyzing the technical, operational, and strategic dimensions of the incident while situating it within the broader context of evolving threats and industry responses in aviation cybersecurity.

Attack Overview and Immediate Impact

The cyberattack that disrupted European airports on September 20, 2025, began during the late evening hours of Friday, September 19, targeting Collins Aerospace’s Multi-User System Environment (MUSE) Software platform. Brussels Airport was among the first to acknowledge the attack, stating that “there was a cyberattack on Friday night 19 September against the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems affecting several European airports including Brussels Airport.” The attack specifically targeted the electronic check-in and boarding systems, forcing airports to revert to manual processes that significantly slowed passenger processing and created extensive delays across affected facilities.

The scope of disruption varied significantly across the affected airports, with Brussels Airport experiencing the most severe impact. Approximately 35,000 passengers were expected to depart from Brussels on Saturday, but manual processing requirements created substantial bottlenecks. By Saturday morning, nine flights had been cancelled, four were redirected to alternative airports, and fifteen experienced delays of at least one hour. The airport advised passengers to only come to the terminal if their flights had been confirmed, demonstrating the severity of the operational disruption.

Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport faced similar challenges, though no flight cancellations were reported despite significant delays and longer wait times for check-in and boarding. Airport operators at Brandenburg cut off connections to the affected systems immediately upon discovering the attack, which helped contain the spread but necessitated the switch to manual operations. London Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest aviation hub, initially described the incident as a “technical issue” but acknowledged delays for departing passengers and implemented additional staffing in check-in areas. Heathrow reported minimal disruptions compared to other airports, suggesting more effective contingency planning and manual backup systems.

Geographic Scope and System Dependencies

The attack’s impact extended beyond Brussels, Berlin, and London, revealing the interconnected nature of European aviation infrastructure. While Paris airports reported no disruptions, the incident highlighted how reliance on common service providers creates systemic vulnerabilities across the continent. Collins Aerospace’s MUSE platform serves over 300 airlines at more than 100 airports worldwide, making it a critical single point of failure for global aviation operations.

The disruption also had cascading effects on broader transportation networks. Flight delays and cancellations created ripple effects throughout European airspace, disrupting connecting flights and crew schedules. Some airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, implemented workarounds to minimize disruption, indicating that robust contingency measures can mitigate the effects of such incidents.

“Cyber incidents in one link of the chain can ripple across Europe’s busiest transport hubs within hours.” – Adrianus Warmenhoven, NordVPN

Technical Analysis of the Target System

Collins Aerospace’s MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) platform is a cornerstone of modern airport infrastructure, supporting passenger processing for over 300 airlines. The system enables self-service check-in, boarding pass printing, and baggage dispatch through automated kiosks, reducing staffing requirements and expediting passenger flow. MUSE’s architecture combines cloud-based and on-premise components, offering operational flexibility but also expanding potential attack vectors.

The platform’s design for interoperability with common-use terminal equipment (CUTE) and common-use passenger processing systems (CUPPS) introduces inherent security challenges. Integration with third-party components and communication across various network segments increases the attack surface. The system’s ability to operate on mobile devices and integrate with peripheral equipment, while advantageous for operations, creates additional entry points for malicious actors.

The September 2025 attack targeted the passenger-facing components of the MUSE system, disrupting electronic check-in and baggage drop functions. Collins Aerospace described the incident as a “cyber-related disruption” affecting “select airports,” emphasizing that manual check-in operations could mitigate the impact. The ability of the attack to affect multiple airports simultaneously suggests a vulnerability in the core MUSE infrastructure rather than individual airport implementations, highlighting the risks associated with centralized service models.

System Vulnerabilities and Attack Vectors

The flexibility of the MUSE platform, which allows rapid deployment and scalability, comes with a trade-off in security. The system’s reliance on standard internet connections and integration with various devices means that security depends on the integrity of both local networks and the broader cloud infrastructure. Attackers can exploit these dependencies, as demonstrated by the September incident.

The centralized nature of the MUSE platform amplified the impact of the attack, allowing a single vulnerability to disrupt operations across multiple airports. This highlights the importance of robust supply chain security and the need for comprehensive risk assessments that encompass both primary systems and third-party service providers.

“Security can’t stop at your own network. Every supplier must meet the same high standards.” – Rob Jardin, NymVPN

Operational and Financial Consequences

The financial and operational impact of the cyberattack was significant, though exact figures have not been disclosed. The aviation industry faces an estimated $500 million in annual losses from cyberattacks, with individual incidents capable of generating costs in the tens of millions of dollars. Brussels Airport, for example, faced unprecedented logistical challenges, including the cancellation of nine flights, redirection of four, and delays for fifteen more. These disruptions resulted in direct revenue losses for airlines and additional costs for passenger compensation and rebooking.

The timing of the attack during a busy travel period compounded its financial impact. Operational disruptions extended to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities, and airlines with robust contingency plans were better positioned to manage the crisis. The reputational damage to Collins Aerospace and its parent company, RTX, may have long-term consequences, as trust and reliability are paramount in the aviation industry.

European Union regulations require airlines to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations, further increasing the financial burden. Extended wait times and uncertainty damaged passenger satisfaction, potentially affecting future customer loyalty. The broader economic impact included missed connections, lost productivity for business travelers, and additional costs for leisure passengers.

Supply Chain and Third-Party Impacts

The incident underscored the hidden costs of supply chain vulnerabilities in aviation operations. Collins Aerospace, as part of RTX Corporation, operates within a complex network of aviation service providers. The attack’s repercussions extended to airlines’ maintenance schedules and operational planning, highlighting the interconnected nature of the industry.

The reputational costs for Collins Aerospace and RTX are notable. As cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven observed, the incident demonstrated how a single point of failure in the supply chain can have widespread effects, challenging the industry’s reliance on shared service models.

“Aviation relies on tightly coordinated systems. A single failure in check-in or baggage handling doesn’t just create queues, it has a domino effect on flight schedules, connections, and even crew availability.” – Adrianus Warmenhoven, NordVPN

Broader Aviation Cybersecurity Landscape

The attack on Collins Aerospace occurred amid a dramatic increase in cyber threats targeting the aviation sector. According to Thales Group, the industry experienced a 600% rise in ransomware attacks between 2024 and 2025, with 27 major attacks by 22 different ransomware groups during that period. The sector’s operational complexity, sensitivity to downtime, and valuable data make it an attractive target for both criminal and state-sponsored actors.

The sophistication of attacks has grown, with 71% involving credential theft or unauthorized access to critical systems. This shift from opportunistic to targeted campaigns reflects attackers’ adaptation to exploit the aviation industry’s interconnected infrastructure. SecurityScorecard’s analysis indicates that the industry maintains only a “B” average cybersecurity score, with software vendors scoring even lower, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities.

The escalating threat environment has driven significant Investments in aviation cybersecurity. The global market was valued between $5.32 billion and $11.3 billion in 2025, with projections of sustained growth. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and zero-trust architectures are increasingly adopted to enhance threat detection and incident response capabilities.

Regional Threat Variations and Policy Response

Geographic analysis reveals significant differences in threat levels and preparedness. For example, Poland reported 20 to 50 cyberattacks daily amid heightened regional tensions, prompting an increase in cybersecurity spending. Asia-Pacific markets, led by China and India, are experiencing the fastest growth in aviation cybersecurity investments, while Europe is driven by regulatory compliance and evolving EU cybersecurity mandates.

Government officials and industry regulators are responding with new rules and standards. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union regulators are finalizing comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for aviation operators, focusing on threat detection, incident response, and supply chain security.

“The aviation industry has become a digital battlefield with significant economic and geopolitical interests at stake.” – Ivan Fontarensky, Thales

Expert Analysis and Industry Response

Cybersecurity experts emphasize that the aviation sector’s operational complexity and high sensitivity to downtime make it a prime target for attackers. Sam Rubin of Palo Alto Networks noted that attackers understand how even brief disruptions can have far-reaching consequences, creating pressure on companies and potentially increasing vulnerability to ransom demands.

Experts also highlight the supply chain dimension of aviation cybersecurity. Rob Jardin of NymVPN and Adrianus Warmenhoven of NordVPN stress that attackers often target the weakest link in the supply chain, rather than the airport itself. This underscores the need for rigorous third-party risk assessments and mandatory security standards for all suppliers.

Industry collaboration is increasingly seen as essential. Information sharing and joint risk assessments between airlines, airports, and suppliers help improve collective defenses. Regulatory and policy responses are evolving to address these challenges, with new rules focusing on supply chain security and coordinated incident response.

Technology Solutions and Best Practices

Experts recommend adopting zero-trust architectures, strong encryption, regular audits, and comprehensive contingency planning. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly used for real-time threat detection and response, while cloud-based security solutions and network segmentation are becoming standard.

The need for improved incident response coordination is clear. Manual backup procedures, while essential, proved insufficient during the Collins Aerospace attack. Automated failover systems, redundant service providers, and coordinated response protocols are necessary to maintain operations during cyber incidents.

“Zero-trust architecture assumes no user or device should be trusted by default, requiring verification for every access request.” – Industry Best Practice

Conclusion

The September 2025 cyberattack on Collins Aerospace systems marks a watershed moment in aviation cybersecurity, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the industry’s digital infrastructure and demonstrating the cascading consequences of supply chain security failures. The incident’s impact across major European airports, affecting tens of thousands of passengers, illustrates how operational efficiency achieved through shared service providers can create systemic risks.

As cyber threats to aviation continue to escalate, the industry must move beyond traditional defense models to embrace zero-trust architectures, comprehensive supply chain security, and robust incident response capabilities. The Collins Aerospace attack serves as a warning and a catalyst, driving the urgent transformation needed to build resilient, secure, and trustworthy aviation infrastructure for the future.

FAQ

What caused the disruption at Brussels and Berlin airports in September 2025?
The disruption was caused by a cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace’s MUSE passenger processing system, which forced airports to revert to manual check-in and boarding processes.

Which airports were affected by the cyberattack?
The main airports affected were Brussels, Berlin Brandenburg, and London Heathrow, with ripple effects across other European airports.

What is the MUSE system?
MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) is a passenger processing platform used by over 300 airlines at more than 100 airports, enabling self-service check-in and boarding.

What are the broader implications of this attack for the aviation industry?
The incident highlights systemic vulnerabilities in aviation’s digital infrastructure and the need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures across the entire supply chain.

How is the aviation industry responding to increasing cyber threats?
The industry is investing in AI-powered threat detection, zero-trust architectures, and enhanced supply chain security, while regulators are introducing stricter cybersecurity standards.

Sources

• Reuters