Collins Aerospace cyberattack critical alert for Australian airports

A cyber attack targeting Collins Aerospace, the maker of boarding and check-in systems used by several major European airports, has resulted in significant disruptions, including flight cancellations and numerous delays over the weekend. RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged a “cyber-related disruption” affecting its software at multiple airports, with Heathrow Airport, Dublin Airport, Berlin Airport, and Brussels Airport all experiencing varying levels of operational issues. Recovery efforts are currently ongoing, as the affected airports work to resolve the outage and restore normal services.

Heathrow Airport issued a notice on 22 September, informing passengers that they are collaborating with airlines to ensure that the majority of flights continue to operate despite the disruptions. The airport advised travellers to check their flight status before arriving and recommended arriving no earlier than three hours for long-haul flights and two hours for short-haul flights. While no group has claimed responsibility for the cyber attack, a UK politician has called for an investigation into potential Russian involvement, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions.