In September 2025, airports across Europe were thrown into chaos after a major cyberattack disrupted check-in systems, baggage handling, and flight schedules. The attack targeted Collins Aerospace, a U.S.-based company that provides technology systems for airports and airlines around the world.

The disruption was so serious that thousands of passengers were stranded, flights were canceled, and entire airports had to switch back to slow manual check-in methods.

Cybersecurity experts quickly identified the incident as a ransomware attack, a type of cybercrime where hackers block access to important systems or data and demand money for its release.

While the details of who carried out the attack remain unclear, experts agree that it marks one of the most high-profile cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in Europe in recent years.

This single event shows how dependent modern travel has become on technology — and how damaging it can be when that technology is suddenly taken away.

What Happened at the Airports

The cyberattack began on Friday, September 19, 2025, and its effects spread rapidly across European airports. Major hubs such as London Heathrow, Brussels Airport, Dublin Airport, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport were hit hard.

At Brussels Airport, 60 out of 550 flights scheduled for the day were canceled. Airport authorities also asked airlines to cancel nearly half of Monday’s planned flights because the systems were still down. Passengers waiting to check in faced long lines as staff had to register tickets and luggage by hand.

In London and Dublin, delays stretched for hours, with frustrated passengers posting pictures of crowded terminals and long queues on social media. Automated check-in kiosks, baggage drop systems, and boarding gates all failed to function, forcing staff to rely on paper forms and handwritten boarding passes.

The disruption was not limited to one country. Because Collins Aerospace provides technology to airports across Europe, the impact was widespread. Airlines struggled to update passengers on delays and cancellations, and many travelers missed connecting flights.

Understanding Ransomware

Ransomware is a growing type of cybercrime. Hackers send malicious software into a company’s network, which then encrypts or locks important files and systems. Once the data is locked, the attackers demand a ransom, usually in digital currency like Bitcoin, to unlock it.

This kind of attack can cause devastating consequences because it stops organizations from using their own systems. In the case of the airports, the attackers didn’t just lock up private files — they disabled technology that thousands of passengers rely on every day.

Cybersecurity experts say ransomware gangs often focus on large organizations like hospitals, schools, governments, and infrastructure providers because disrupting these services puts maximum pressure on victims to pay. The longer the systems are down, the more expensive the problem becomes.

Expert Concerns

According to Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at the cybersecurity company Sophos, ransomware attacks are becoming more bold and disruptive. While many hackers mainly want money, some deliberately target essential services to make a bigger impact.

“These kinds of high-profile disruptions are exactly what cybercriminals want,” Pilling said. “The bigger the chaos, the more attention they get — and the more likely it is that victims will pay to restore services.”

Martyn Thomas, a professor of information security in London, added that hackers today are not only motivated by money but also by reputation. In underground cybercriminal circles, pulling off a massive attack on critical infrastructure can raise the status of a hacker group. “They want to be feared and respected,” he explained.

Who Was Behind the Attack?

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the Collins Aerospace incident. Usually, ransomware gangs announce their attacks on so-called “leak sites” on the dark web, threatening to publish stolen data if the ransom isn’t paid. But as of September 22, no group had taken credit.

Some experts suspect that the hackers may have ties to organized criminal gangs in Eastern Europe or Russia, where many ransomware groups operate with little government interference. Others believe the attack could have been politically motivated, given the sensitive role of air travel in European infrastructure.

The European Union’s cybersecurity agency ENISA confirmed that the incident was ransomware but said investigations are ongoing. They did not say whether Collins Aerospace or the affected airports had received a ransom demand.

The Larger Pattern of Cyberattacks

The airport disruption is not an isolated case. Over the past few years, ransomware attacks on high-profile organizations have been increasing.

Retail Industry Attack (April 2025): A group called Scattered Spider crippled a major British retailer’s online systems, preventing the company from taking orders for weeks. The FBI later revealed that the group had been responsible for around 120 network intrusions and had stolen about $115 million.

Healthcare Systems: Hospitals in the U.S., Europe, and Asia have been repeatedly targeted. These attacks are particularly dangerous because they can disrupt surgeries, patient care, and access to medical records.

Government Agencies: Several cities in the United States and Europe have had to pay large ransoms to restore services like water supply, electricity billing, or even 911 emergency call centers.

Transportation: In addition to the Collins Aerospace attack, railways and shipping companies have been targeted in the past, showing that transportation systems are a frequent and vulnerable target.

Why Airports Are Attractive Targets

Airports are among the most sensitive and visible parts of a country’s infrastructure. They serve as gateways for millions of passengers, and any disruption has an immediate and global impact.

• For hackers, airports present several advantages as targets:
• High Pressure: Even short delays can cost airlines and airports millions of dollars, which makes victims more likely to pay quickly.
• Visibility: Disruptions at airports attract international media coverage, boosting the reputation of hacker groups.
• Complex Systems: Airports rely on a mix of private companies, public authorities, and international networks, making security harder to coordinate.
• Passenger Impact: Stranded travelers create political pressure on governments to act quickly.
• The Collins Aerospace incident highlights how a single point of failure — one company providing check-in systems to multiple airports — can create continent-wide chaos.

What Can Be Done

Cybersecurity experts are urging both governments and private companies to take stronger steps to prevent future attacks. Here are some of the key measures being recommended:

Better Security Design: Software and technology systems should be built with stronger protections against attacks. Too often, security is added as an afterthought rather than being designed from the start.

Regular Updates: Hackers often exploit old software with known weaknesses. Companies must keep all systems updated and patched.

Employee Training: Many ransomware attacks begin with phishing emails, where an employee clicks on a malicious link. Training staff to recognize these tricks can reduce the risk of infection.

Backup Systems: Organizations should maintain secure backups of critical data and systems. That way, if hackers encrypt the main system, companies can restore from backups without paying.

Incident Response Plans: Airports and airlines need clear plans for how to respond when systems are attacked. This includes communication strategies, alternative procedures, and recovery steps.

International Cooperation: Because cybercrime often crosses borders, countries must work together to investigate and punish attackers. Sharing information about threats and vulnerabilities can help prevent future incidents.

Lessons from the Incident

The attack on Collins Aerospace shows how fragile modern air travel can be. Despite all the advanced technology used in airports, a single cyberattack was able to bring operations across Europe to a standstill.

It also reveals how deeply digital systems are now embedded in our daily lives. From booking flights to checking in luggage, passengers rely on technology at every step. When that technology disappears, the entire system struggles to function.

The event is a wake-up call for the aviation industry and governments. Just as airports spend billions on physical security like baggage scanners and border control, they may now need to invest equally in cyber defenses.

The Human Impact

Beyond the technical details, the attack had a real effect on ordinary people. Families missed vacations, business travelers lost meetings, and some passengers were stranded for days waiting for new flights. The stress and frustration in airport terminals reflected how much trust people place in technology to keep daily life moving smoothly.

For airport staff, the attack created extra pressure. Many employees had never experienced manual check-in systems, since most of the work had been automated for years. Lines grew longer, tempers flared, and staff had to work extra hours to manage crowds.

Looking Ahead

Experts warn that unless governments and companies take cybersecurity more seriously, attacks like this will continue — and may even get worse. The next attack could hit not only airports but also hospitals, power grids, or financial systems.

Airports and airlines must treat cybersecurity as a form of national security. Just as they prepare for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or strikes, they must now plan for cyber incidents.

The Collins Aerospace attack will likely lead to stronger regulations in Europe, requiring companies to meet higher standards for protecting critical infrastructure. It may also push more investment into backup systems and cyber defense teams.

The September 2025 cyberattack on Collins Aerospace and European airports has become a defining example of how ransomware can disrupt modern life. What began as a computer attack quickly turned into a crisis that affected thousands of passengers, airlines, and businesses.

It highlighted the growing boldness of cybercriminals, the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, and the urgent need for stronger defenses. The incident also served as a reminder that behind every cyberattack are real people — travelers, workers, and families — whose lives are disrupted.

As technology becomes even more central to our daily lives, protecting it from ransomware and other cyber threats must become a top priority. Otherwise, the next digital attack could cause even greater chaos.