Ransomware disrupts MUSE check-in at major European airports

A ransomware attack on software used to run airline checkin desks forced staff at several major European airports to switch to manual processing beginning late Friday, causing widespread delays and hundreds of cancellations through the weekend and into the following week. Airports including London Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin reported disruptions to automated checkin and bag drop systems linked to Collins Aerospace’s MUSE passenger processing software, officials said, and the European Union’s cybersecurity agency confirmed the incident involved ransomware and that law enforcement was investigating.

Brussels Airport said the outage left automated systems unusable and initially forced only manual checkin and boarding, creating long queues and a large impact on schedules. Early reports cited at least 10 cancellations and 17 delays of more than an hour; by Sunday Brussels had canceled dozens of departures and on Monday asked carriers to thin their schedules, seeking the cancellation of roughly half of planned outbound flights to avoid prolonged queues, the airport operator said. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, and Berlin Brandenburg also reported longer wait times and delays,...