The Etihad Airways has confirmed delays in its check-in services at Brussels International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport after the cyberattack on a third-party service provider that disrupted many major European airports on Saturday.
Etihad Airways – Official Statement
The Abu Dhabi-based national carrier said to the Khaleej Times that the technical issue affecting the check-in system caused the disruption. As a result, passengers at Brussels and Heathrow airports are seeing longer-than-usual processing times.
The airline said, “Our staff are helping guests with their check-in to help reduce delays to Etihad service. We strongly advise guests to arrive early to decrease inconvenience”. However, the airline also assures that technicians are working urgently to restore the full system functionality.
Etihad also apologized to passengers by highlighting that the situation was beyond its control.
Root Cause of the Disruption
As per the Reuters report, Collins Aerospace suffered a cyberattack that forced many airports to switch to manual check-in and boarding. Notably, Collins is a key provider of airline check-in and boarding systems throughout the world.
Brussels Airport stated on its official website, “The attack has rendered the automated system inoperable, allowing only manual check-ins and boarding process. This is a significant impact on the flight schedules and, unfortunately, causes delays and cancellations.”
Passengers scheduled to fly from the affected airports, like Brussels or Heathrow, were advised to reconfirm their travel before heading to the airport.
Wider Impact on Airlines and Airports
Frankfurt Airport and Zurich Airport confirmed that they were not affected by a cyberattack. However, airlines operating from Heathrow, like Air India, have warned travelers about the potential check-in delays. However, Air India has a massive customer base in the UAE. Hence, it has advised travelers to use the web check-in before reaching the airport. However, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines reported no significant disruptions to its operation.
What UAE Travelers Should Do?
Passengers in the UAE flying with Etihad Airways from Brussels or London are requested to follow the tips mentioned below:
- Arrive earlier than usual for check-in.
- Stay updated via official airline notifications.
- Consider web check-in options where available.
Etihad Airways reassured the travelers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that decreasing inconvenience remains its top priority, as the European airport is working with Collins Aerospace to resolve the issue. Hence, passengers should follow some tips during this period to avoid delays.
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