Suspect Arrested in UK Over Cyberattack on Airports

A suspect has been arrested in the United Kingdom in connection with a large-scale cyberattack on European airports.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) stated this to CNN.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of orchestrating a cyberattack that last week disrupted self-check-in systems at some of Europe’s busiest airports.

“Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing,” Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, stated.

Last Friday, Collins Aerospace was targeted in a cyberattack.

As a result, flight operations were disrupted in London, Brussels, Berlin, and Dublin.

On Monday, Collins Aerospace announced that it was working with affected airports, including Brussels and London’s Heathrow, some of the busiest airports in Europe.

The company also stated that it is in the final stages of updates that should restore full functionality to the systems.

“Airlines at Heathrow have implemented contingency measures while their supplier Collins Aerospace works to resolve issues with check-in systems at airports around the world,” a Heathrow spokesperson told Reuters.

According to French aerospace company Thales, the number of cyberattacks in the aviation sector has increased by 600% over the past year.

On Friday evening, several European airports were targeted by a cyberattack that primarily affected check-in and boarding systems, resulting in delays and flight cancellations.