Ransomware Attack Disrupts Major European Airports via Collins Aerospace in 2025
In September 2025, a major ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace, a critical provider of check-in and boarding systems, triggered widespread disruptions at several major European airports, including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin Brandenburg. The hackers targeted the Multi-User System Environment (MUSE) platform, which airlines rely on to coordinate check-in desks and gate assignments. As a result, more than 100 flights were delayed or cancelled, and thousands of passengers faced manual check-in procedures while airports scrambled to contain the operational fallout. Law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies are actively investigating, prioritizing the restoration of affected systems and mitigation of further impact. This incident underlines the escalating risk posed by ransomware targeting supply chain infrastructure and the aviation sector’s reliance on shared IT systems. It also reflects a broader trend of cybercriminals exploiting third-party service dependencies, bringing renewed urgency to layered defense strategies and zero-trust adoption for business-critical environments.
Kill Chain