Cyberattack throws Brussels Airport into chaos with flights cancelled and major delays

Brussels Airport has been plunged into disruption this weekend after a cyberattack hit one of its external service providers, paralysing check-in and boarding systems and forcing airlines to adapt quickly to keep passengers moving.

Flights cancelled as systems crippled

The issue began on Friday september 19, when hackers targeted the IT systems of a company responsible for check-in and boarding operations at the Belgian hub. By Saturday morning, at least nine flights had to be cancelled, while many more suffered heavy delays.

Brussels Airlines, the airport’s flagship carrier, managed to avoid outright cancellations. However, the airline admitted that it was spacing out its long-haul flights, creating significant knock-on delays for passengers heading to destinations across the globe.

Other European airports were also affected by the fallout, underlining the vulnerability of the aviation sector to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

Brussels Airlines adapts under pressure

Speaking on Saturday, Joëlle Neeb, spokesperson for Brussels Airlines, said the carrier had activated contingency plans late on Friday night to minimise chaos.

“Fortunately, our self-service baggage drop system works independently from Brussels Airport’s network,” she explained. “This means that passengers who had already checked in online could simply scan their boarding passes, print baggage tags and leave their luggage on the conveyor belts.”

For travellers not yet checked in – particularly those flying within the Schengen area – airline staff stepped in to handle the process manually. “This allowed passengers to continue using the automatic baggage system with their boarding passes, even without access to the airport’s disrupted systems,” Neeb added.

Passengers warned of ongoing delays

While Brussels Airlines has avoided cancellations so far, the decision to space out departures has meant that long-haul services are running late. The airline said this was necessary to ensure smoother operations while the cyberattack fallout continues.

Saturday’s events highlight once again how cybersecurity threats pose real risks to international aviation, disrupting not just passengers but entire transport networks across Europe.

Brussels Airport warned travellers to check flight updates before leaving for the terminal, with further disruptions expected as technicians race to restore systems.

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