Hundreds of Heathrow flights delayed after cyber attack hits European airports: Live updates

A leading aviation figure has called Saturday’s cyber attack “deeply concerning”.

Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency and former communications director of Virgin Atlantic, told The Independent’s Simon Calder: “Many in the industry are surprised that a company of the stature and scale of Collins Aerospace has been victim of such a cyber attack. It is one of the most experienced systems suppliers in the world to airports and airlines, and governments including the UK.”

The attack affected the “Multi-User System Environment” passenger processing system, know as MUSE.

Mr Charles said: “If Collins can be hacked so easily then you have to question all suppliers. I hope they’re able to get the MUSE software affected back online quickly, otherwise flights will be affected for many days to come.”

Brussels Airport said half the departing flights scheduled for Sunday will need to be cancelled due to ongoing disruption following a cyberattack that hit several European airports.

“Brussels Airport has asked airlines to cancel half of the scheduled departing flights on Sunday 21 September in order to avoid long queues and late cancellations,” a spokesperson for the Belgian airport said.

Arguments have broken out between passengers waiting in long queues at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4.

Amid lengthy lines at the check-in area, one woman shouted at another woman: “Get out and stop pushing.

“Everyone is tired, it’s not an excuse.”

Other passengers are in heated conversations with airport staff, as frustration levels rise at the transport hub because of the delays.

Long lines at the check-in area of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 has left passengers queuing near the entrance to the transport hub.

Airport staff have erected extra queue barriers in an attempt to manage the lengthy lines, with passengers reporting that they have been left waiting for hours.

Some passengers have resorted to sitting on their luggage amid the long delays at the airport.

Many travellers will have faced cancelled or delayed flights from Heathrow, Brussels, or Berlin airports today.

But what are your rights if your flight is cancelled?

The Independent’s Simon Calder has all you need to know below…

The European Commission has said it is “closely monitoring” a cyber attack that caused major disruption at several international airports across Europe – including Heathrow.

Berlin and Brussels airports are also affected by the attack which targeted a technical partner, Collins Aerospace.

“The Commission is closely monitoring the cyber attack that has disrupted airline check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally,” a spokesperson for the European Commission, which takes part in managing airspace across Europe, said on Saturday.

“While passengers are facing disruption, aviation safety and air traffic control remain unaffected.

“The Commission is working closely with EUROCONTROL, ENISA, airports and airlines to restore operations and to support passengers.

“Current signs do not indicate a widespread or severe attack.”

Passengers have been facing cancellations and delays at airports across Europe on Saturday after airport systems were hit by a cyber attack.

Collins Aerospace, which makes systems used for check-in and baggage loading, said it was doing everything in its power to resolve the issue.

Customers travelling from Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports have been directly affected, with many reporting missing connecting flights onwards due to the cyber attack.

Heathrow and Brussels airports have advised passengers not to travel to the airport before confirming the status of their flight with airlines.

Passengers have spoken of “utter bedlam” at Heathrow airport following the cyber attack.

Andy Rice, who is travelling to Minneapolis, told The Independent: “I thankfully am now onboard my flight and ready to go but T3 was utter bedlam.

“Lots of elderly passengers who were struggling to hear announcements being shouted out couldn’t hear and ended up missing flights.

“What was painfully evident was that among the Heathrow staff, most were not trained in how to marshal passengers so in the end it became a free for all melee.”

There is no evidence of a “widespread or severe attack,” the European Commission said in a statement about the cyber attack affecting several European airports.

It added that the origin of the incident was still under investigation.

There are long queues at the check-in area of Heathrow Terminal 4 after an alleged cyber attack targeted a service provider.

Many passengers have resorted to sitting on the floor with limited seats left in the crowded terminal, as airport staff attempt to manage the snaking queues, reports the PA news agency.