Will Aviation Safety Be Next?
Cyberattack on Collins Aerospace Disrupts Global Air Travel
In yet another alarming sign of rising cyber threats, Collins Aerospace, a major U.S. aviation and defence contractor, was hit by a major cyberattack—crippling automated check-in and boarding systems at over 100 airports worldwide.
The company provides the MUSE passenger handling system, used by many airlines for check-in, boarding, and baggage tracking. The breach caused massive delays at major hubs including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, forcing staff to revert to manual processing.
What Happened?
At Heathrow, over 400 flights were delayed and at least 12 cancelled, with Terminal 42 seeing hours-long queues and frustrated passengers. The disruption echoed across European airports.
While British Airways at Terminal 5 remained mostly unaffected (thanks to a robust backup system), most other airlines suffered serious setbacks in operations.
Who Was Behind the Attack?
While official attribution is still pending, cyber analysts say the attack bears the hallmarks of Russian-linked hacking groups, possibly in retaliation for Collins Aerospace's defence support for Ukraine.
Interestingly, the attack came just hours after Russian fighter jets breached NATO airspace over Estonia, further fuelling speculation.
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and other international bodies are investigating, but stress that attribution in such cases is complex and time-consuming.
Fallout for Airlines and Passengers
The impact was immediate and widespread:
- Check-in and boarding systems failed, leading to long delays
- Manual processing slowed down passenger flow drastically
- Airlines scrambled to rebook flights, arrange accommodation, and provide compensation
- Passenger frustration soared due to lack of clear information
While aviation safety and air traffic control were not compromised, the event shows just how vulnerable the sector's digital infrastructure has become.
Industry Response
Collins Aerospace confirmed the issue was “cyber-related” and deployed internal recovery teams to restore services. The European Commission and UK Department for Transport are closely monitoring the situation.
Despite partial recovery, disruptions lasted several days, with lingering delays into the following week.
The Bigger Picture
This attack is a stark reminder of the fragility of digital systems that underpin global travel—and the increasing risks posed by state-linked cyber actors.
Aviation is a high-value target due to:
- Critical infrastructure dependencies
- Cross-border operations
- Sensitive defence links
It raises an urgent question:
Is air traffic control next?
Protecting Your Business in a Cyber Age
At LBH Insurance, we help businesses of all sizes protect themselves from cyber threats—whether you're in aviation, logistics, finance, or professional services.
Our Cyber Insurance policies can cover:
- Ransomware attacks
- System interruptions
- Data breaches
- Regulatory fines
- Business interruption and recovery costs
With attacks becoming more sophisticated, state-linked, and financially damaging, having cyber insurance and a resilience strategy in place is no longer optional—it's essential.
If you would like advice on how you can protect your business from a Cyberattack and the financial implications it can lead too call us on 01702 347889 for a no-obligation, competitive quote—and peace of mind that your cover reflects both your risk and your reputation or email enquiries@lbhinsurance.co.uk.
