A man in his 40s has been arrested in southern England in connection with a cyberattack that disrupted operations at several European airports, including Brussels Airport.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed on Wednesday that the suspect was detained on Tuesday in West Sussex. He is suspected of offences under the Computer Misuse Act.
The suspect has since been released on conditional bail. Authorities emphasized that while the arrest marks a positive step, the broader investigation into the cyberattack remains in its early stages.
Paul Foster, Deputy Director and Head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, said: “The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.” He added that authorities are working closely with international partners.
The attack has affected airlines and airport operations, particularly impacting check-in systems managed by the US-based software provider Collins Aerospace. Staff have been forced to implement manual workarounds.
An internal memo seen by the BBC at Heathrow Airport highlighted the difficulties Collins Aerospace is facing in bringing its check-in software back online. The company appears to be rebuilding the system entirely.
Collins Aerospace has not provided a timeline for a full system recovery. Airport and airline staff have been advised to expect at least another week of manual operations while the software is restored.
Flights across affected airports experienced delays and disruptions as check-in processes slowed. Airlines urged passengers to arrive early and stay updated on operational changes.
The cyberattack underscores vulnerabilities in airport IT infrastructure, which is increasingly targeted by criminals and hackers. Experts stress the importance of resilience and contingency planning.
Investigators from multiple countries are collaborating to determine the origins and scope of the attack. Forensic analysis and cybersecurity reviews are ongoing to prevent future disruptions.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance and caution across the aviation industry, noting that recovery may take time. Meanwhile, passengers and staff continue to adapt to the temporary measures.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
