On September 19, a major cyber incident occurred in Europe, affecting Collins Aerospace, one of the world’s largest aerospace technology suppliers . The attack disrupted airline operations and affected flights at major European hubs.
The impact was particularly noticeable at London Heathrow Airport, where passengers faced flight delays and cancellations throughout the weekend.
According to law enforcement, the attack targeted Collins Aerospace systems that support and coordinate a series of technological processes related to aviation safety and flight operations. The disruption of these services rapidly impacted the supply chain and operational processes, causing disruptions to air transport in several EU countries.
On the evening of 23 September, officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) , together with the South East Regional Organised Crime Team, conducted an operation in West Sussex .
Following this, a man in his forties was arrested . He is suspected of violating the Computer Misuse Act.
He gave a statement during questioning and was subsequently released on bail, with restrictions on his activities pending the investigation.
Paul Foster, head of the agency’s National Cyber Unit, said that while the arrest was an important step, the investigation was still in its early stages and it was premature to draw definitive conclusions about the scope and perpetrators of the attack .
He said the incident demonstrates how vulnerable critical infrastructure is to targeted attacks. He emphasized that cybercrime continues to have a global impact, threatening the security and stability of key sectors.
British authorities view this incident not only as a localized disruption, but also as part of a broader pattern of cyber threats affecting the transportation, energy, and defense sectors.
For Collins Aerospace, the accident posed a serious challenge, as the company provides services to dozens of airlines and works closely with government aviation safety agencies.
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