Brussels Airport to accelerate rollout of new check-in system after cyberattack on Collins Aerospace software

Brussels Airport will begin the gradual rollout of a new check-in and boarding system from Monday, 29 September, in response to the cyberattack that crippled its current platform provided by U.S.-based Collins Aerospace.

According to the airport, Collins Aerospace has been unable to confirm whether the compromised systems can be restored after the ransomware incident that struck last week, forcing airlines and handlers to fall back on manual check-in procedures. To ensure operational continuity for passengers and the wider airport community, Brussels Airport is moving ahead with a full system replacement months earlier than planned.

Originally scheduled for November 2025, the deployment of the next-generation system is being brought forward and will require the installation of new servers and 500 workstations across the airport. Airlines will be connected step by step, with teams from both Collins and Brussels Airport’s own IT specialists accelerating the process, which normally takes several weeks.

To ease the transition, airlines have been asked to maintain the current 10% cancellation level through Sunday, 28 September. From next week, the situation will be reviewed daily depending on the progress of the rollout.

Despite the disruption, Brussels Airport says it continues to handle more than 500 flights per day, carrying over 70,000 passengers.

“We are particularly grateful to our employees and the wider airport community for their tremendous efforts under these exceptional circumstances. We also thank our passengers for their patience and understanding,” the airport said in a statement.

The incident, caused by a ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace’s check-in and boarding systems, has affected multiple European airports. Brussels Airport’s decision to fast-track its new platform underscores the challenges aviation hubs face when core IT infrastructure is compromised.