LONDON (BN24) — UK police arrested a man in his 40s on Tuesday in connection with a cyberattack that disrupted major European airports, including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, causing widespread delays and flight cancellations. The arrest was made by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) in West Sussex, southeast England, and the suspect was released on conditional bail while investigations continue.
The attack, which targeted aviation technology provider Collins Aerospace, was confirmed by the EU’s cybersecurity agency as a ransomware incident. Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of US aerospace giant RTX (formerly Raytheon), provides vital check-in and baggage drop services to multiple airlines across airports globally. The company confirmed that the disruption affected its MUSE software at select airports, temporarily crippling automated check-in and baggage processing systems. In response, impacted airlines were forced to carry out manual procedures, leading to significant slowdowns.
Paul Foster, Deputy Director of the NCA, emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, stating that while the arrest marked progress, “Cybercrime is a persistent global threat that continues to cause significant disruption to the UK.” The NCA had initiated the probe after Collins Aerospace reported the cyber disruption on Friday.
The cyberattack, which began late last week, continued to impact several European airports on Wednesday, though authorities reported that the situation was improving. At Brussels Airport, where numerous outbound flights were cancelled, a spokesperson confirmed that operations were returning to normal. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, also reported that the “vast majority” of flights were operating on schedule, with delays and cancellations now minimal.
The incident has raised alarms over the security of airport and airline systems, as air travel increasingly relies on interconnected digital networks. Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland were among those affected by the cyberattack, with some operations still experiencing disruptions.
The attack highlights the growing vulnerability of the aviation sector to cyber threats. According to a June report by French aerospace company Thales, the number of cyberattacks targeting the aviation industry surged by 600% from 2024 to 2025. The report warned that airports, airlines, and other aviation-related systems are increasingly becoming prime targets for hackers due to their strategic and economic importance.
As the investigation unfolds, concerns over the cybersecurity of the aviation sector are likely to intensify, particularly as airports and airlines face growing pressure to bolster their defenses against future cyberattacks.
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