Cyberattack on European Airports: Thousands of Passengers Face Delays.

According to The Sun: Due to a major cyberattack on one of the key airports, thousands of passengers faced travel issues.

This incident, which occurred on Friday, affected travelers at Heathrow, as well as airports in Brussels and Berlin.

The main difficulties arose with the registration and boarding systems.

This situation continues to cause significant delays and cancellations of flights.

Brussels Airport has called to cancel half of its flights for today according to information from AP.

This will affect 140 out of 276 scheduled departures.

Situation at Heathrow

Although most flights from Heathrow are operating, passengers are advised to be ready for new delays.

The latest statement from the airport reported:

“Work continues to restore the Collins Aerospace system, which affected registration. We apologize for the delays, but thanks to the collaborative efforts with airlines, most flights continue to operate.”

“We ask passengers to check their flight status before traveling to Heathrow and to arrive no earlier than three hours for long-haul flights and two for shorter ones.”

Collins Aerospace has confirmed that it has almost completed the software update following the attack.

A representative of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) noted:

“We are working with Collins Aerospace and the affected airports in the UK, as well as with the Department of Transport and law enforcement, to fully understand the implications of the incident.”

Cancellations of Flights

On Saturday, about 60 flights were canceled at three airports, including 13 from Heathrow, according to Cirium.

Another 38 departures were canceled on Sunday.

Brussels Airport warned that additional delays and cancellations should be expected, and recommends checking information before heading to the airport.

One woman, who was trying to reach her flight, reported that there was

“chaos”

“There were massive queues, and the machines weren’t working, so everyone was just pushing on staff with tablets. It was chaos.”

Passengers affected by this situation are unlikely to receive compensation for delays or cancellations, as it is considered “extraordinary circumstances”. However, airlines are required to look after passengers by offering new flights as well as providing them with hotels and meals if the delay lasts into the night.

Those who opted for a full refund from the airline will no longer be entitled to support from it.

Flight Compensation Rules

Overview of passenger rights in case of flight delays or cancellations, as well as information on compensation and the possibility of coverage by insurance.

What are my rights if my flight is canceled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines are obligated to provide compensation if your flight arrives at the destination more than three hours late.

If you are flying to or from the UK, your airline must offer you a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be refunded for the part of the ticket that you have not yet used.

So, if you booked a return flight and could not depart, you will receive a full refund for the return ticket.

The airline must find you an alternative flight if your trip is urgent. This can even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

An airline is not obligated to refund you if your flight is canceled for reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather conditions.

Circumstances considered extraordinary, such as severe storms or strikes by airport workers, are not entitled to compensation.

Some airlines may extend the term “extraordinary circumstances”, but you can challenge this through the aviation regulator - the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is canceled?

If you cannot obtain compensation from the airline, your travel insurance may reimburse you.

Policies vary, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the terms, but a delay of eight to twelve hours typically means you are entitled to reimbursement from your insurer.

Don’t forget to obtain written confirmation of your delay from the airport, as your insurance will require evidence.

If your flight is completely canceled, you are unlikely to receive compensation from your insurance.