OR cyberattack that hit the external provider Collins Aerospace, which provides systems for check-in and boarding airportsdid not jeopardize the safety of flights, the Federal Information Technology Federation (BSI) assured Germany. However, the service did not provide any information on the attack manager, which occurred on Friday night (19.09.2025) around 22:00 (local time).
According to BSI, several German airports-including in Berlin-Vrandembourg-check-in procedures are still manually, which causes delays. Problems with delays and cancellations They still mention Heathrow Airports in London and Brussels because of cyberattack.
“The airport server was not the goal of the attack, but the passengers have the consequences, waiting more for check-in and boarding,” the Berlin Airport administration said.
Despite the difficulties, several flights have managed to take off without delay. “We use paper and pencil to control the data, which of course takes longer time,” a spokesman for the airport said, stating that the electronic check-in remains in operation.
In contrast, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Hanover, Dresden, Leipzig/Hale, Düsseldorf, Bremen and Cologne/Bonn airports announced that they were not affected by the attack. Only Minster/Osenabruk airport has suffered some limited problems after the server was shut down, for precautionary reasons.
Risk signal for World Air Force
Saturday’s cyberattack on Collins Aerospace’s systems must be regarded as a risk signal for World Civil Air Force, estimates Vikidas Makniskas, a cyber security expert and chief executive of Nordvpn’s Saily Travel Application, speaking to the Independent.
“This cyberattack highlights the ever -increasing vulnerability of the airline, as airlines and airports are increasingly based on interconnected systems,” he explains. “As shown in Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, the impact on a critical infrastructure can be huge, affecting everything-from check-in to luggage management.”
According to the expert, the incident mainly shows the dangers associated with the supply chain. “Many airports are based on third parties for passenger management. Although this increases efficiency, it drastically reduces durability. Only one cyberattack to a provider can evolve into mass upheaval, as today’s delays and cancellations show. “
Makniskas also recalls that every damage has immediate human costs: “Professional travelers lose significant appointments, families are trapped at airports and workers operate under strong pressure.”
In his view, this attack must act as a warning: “The air and technological sector must reassess and strengthen its defense as cyberspaces are evolving at a rapid pace.”