The Collins Aerospace Cyberattack: A Wake-Up Call for Aviation Cybersecurity

The aviation industry, a cornerstone of modern global connectivity, is facing mounting cyber threats. Recently, a cyberattack on Collins Aerospace disrupted operations at major European airports including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, causing flight delays and forcing manual check-ins. This incident exposed serious vulnerabilities in how critical infrastructure depends on centralized technology providers.

Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX and a global leader in aviation and defense systems, delivers essential software and hardware solutions supporting airlines and airports. Their Muse software, which manages electronic check-in and baggage drop operations, was the target of the cyberattack. The immediate effect was a significant operational disruption, with long lines, frustrated passengers, delayed flights, and cancellations across multiple hubs. Though Collins Aerospace described the incident as limited and manageable via manual processes, the ripple effects revealed the fragility of efficiency-driven digital ecosystems in aviation.

The attack highlights a key challenge in modern network and cybersecurity: the concentration of critical services with a single provider creates a single point of failure. When such a provider suffers a breach or outage, the consequences cascade across many dependent organizations and geographies. This is not unlike other recent supply chain attacks, where compromise of a trusted vendor spreads quickly and widely, amplifying impact.

The aviation sector has experienced a concerning 600% increase in cyberattacks from 2024 to 2025, underscoring the heightened risk environment. Attackers are shifting focus to infrastructure elements that directly affect passenger experience and operations, such as check-in systems, booking platforms, baggage handling, and air traffic control applications. Disruptions here don’t just inconvenience travelers; they threaten safety, revenue, and regulatory compliance.

Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a multi-faceted approach. First, organizations must assess their risk exposure beyond traditional perimeter defenses. This involves a deep understanding of the supply chain and an evaluation of the cybersecurity posture of key vendors. Continuous monitoring, zero-trust models, and strict access controls are crucial for limiting lateral movement within networks when a single component is compromised.

Second, redundancy and contingency planning must be treated as vital components of system design. Relying exclusively on automated digital processes without robust manual backup options or failover mechanisms creates operational blind spots. The Collins incident forced airport staff to switch to manual operations, but the delays and confusion suggest those plans could be more mature and rehearsed.

Third, collaborative threat intelligence sharing among industry participants and authorities can speed detection and response. The aviation and cybersecurity communities should collaborate more closely to identify emerging tactics used against critical infrastructure. For example, sharing indicators of compromise related to the Collins Aerospace attack could help harden similar systems and prevent future incidents.

Finally, regulatory bodies must update standards and certification processes to reflect the evolving cyber threat landscape in aviation. Current frameworks often lag behind the capabilities of attackers or do not mandate stringent vendor risk management. Policymakers need to incentivize investments in cybersecurity innovation and resilience, ensuring organizations are prepared not just to prevent breaches, but to respond effectively when incidents occur.

While technological advances, such as AI-driven threat detection and automated incident response, offer promising tools, they are not panaceas. Cyber defense remains a balance of protection, detection, and mitigation within complex operational realities. The Collins Aerospace attack reminds us that no system is invulnerable, and that resilience depends equally on solid technical controls and practical preparedness.

In conclusion, the disruption at key European airports caused by the Collins Aerospace cyberattack underscores pressing challenges facing aviation cybersecurity. Heavy reliance on centralized software providers amplifies systemic risk, calling for stronger vendor security practices, detailed contingency planning, and enhanced industry cooperation. By acknowledging the limitations of current technologies and adopting a layered, realistic approach to risk management, aviation stakeholders can better safeguard travelers and operations against mounting cyber threats.

The path forward is not one of perfect defence but of pragmatic resilience, anticipating failures and prepared to act swiftly when they occur. The safety and efficiency of global air travel depend on it.