Heads up, globe trotters! 🌍✈️ On Saturday, a major cyberattack on a key provider of check-in and boarding systems left hundreds of flights at Heathrow, Berlin and Brussels airports in limbo—think delays, cancellations, and frantic travellers refreshing their flight apps.
At the peak, 29 departures and arrivals were scrubbed, impacting thousands of passengers. Heathrow saw 651 flights scheduled, Brussels 228 and Berlin 226. Even Dublin and Cork in Ireland felt the ripple, with minor glitches creeping into operations.
A spokesperson from Brussels airport says airlines now have to pull half of Sunday’s departures. The workaround? Passengers are urged to ping their carrier for the latest flight status before heading to the terminal.
The European Commission is on high alert, monitoring the breach closely. While safety and air traffic control remain unaffected (whew!), tech teams are racing to restore full service. Early signs point to a focused hack rather than a widescale assault.
UK’s Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and German cyber defence units are also looped in, getting regular status updates as teams dig into the digital mess.
For the mobile-first generation—whether you’re chilling in a co-working space in Jakarta or planning a Eurotrip from Mumbai—this is a reminder to keep your boarding pass app at the ready and always have a Plan B for your next adventure. 🗺️✨
ProTip: Follow your airline on social media for live updates and avoid airport crowds if your flight is in doubt. Safe travels, folks! 🚀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
