Travellers wait in a long queue to pass through the security check at Heathrow on June
Travellers wait in a long queue to pass through the security check at Heathrow on June 1, 2022 (Picture: Getty)

London’s Heathrow Airport is one of several major European airports hit by a cyberattack today.

Multiple flights have been cancelled and delayed after the hack targeted a service provider for check-in and boarding systems, disrupting operations.

Airports in Brussels and Berlin have also been hit, and it is so far unclear how long the systems will be down.

Collins Aerospace has been revealed as the target of the attack, which has rendered its automated systems inoperable, allowing only manual check-in and boarding procedures.

Passengers queue for rebooking as a large display is switched off (C back) at Frankfurt Airport
Passengers queue for rebooking flights at Frankfurt Airport (Picture: AFP)

Brussels Airport said in a statement published on its website: ‘This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights.

‘The service provider is actively working on the issue and trying to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.’

Heathrow also warned of delays caused by ‘a technical issue’ at a third-party supplier.

Passengers with a flight scheduled for Saturday were advised by the affected airports to confirm their travel with airlines before heading to the airport.

‘Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution,’ Berlin airport said in a banner on its website.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

Illustration picture shows passengers queue caused by police actions at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA), in Gosselies, Thursday 09 March 2023. This action, toegether with the symbolic police stations both from the federal and the local polices, is to ask to keep their rights to early retirement, before the age of 67, and salaries to be increased and the recurrent problem of lack of personnel to be solved. BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
An airport in Brussels has also been affected by the hack (Picture: Getty)

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, UK and EU airlines must look after you if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

This includes everything from meals and accommodation to an alternative flight if necessary.

Citizen’s Advice says that airlines should also give impacted passengers access to phone calls and emails and, if they offer you a play to stay, organise the journeys between the hotel and the airport.

Sometimes, the airline will cover this by handing you vouchers at the airport. When in doubt, keep any receipts for expenses and claim them back afterwards from the airliner.

But an airliner will only cough up money for ‘reasonable’ expenses. The hotel minibar or penthouse suites likely can’t be expensed.

If you didn’t book with a UK or EU airline, you’ll need to check their terms and conditions. Though, for the most part, airlines should provide meals and accommodation as appropriate.

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