UK Police Arrest a Man in Connection with Ransomware Attack that Paralyzed European Airports
A man in his forties has been apprehended in West Sussex, England, in relation to a cyber-attack that has resulted in several days of extensive disruption at multiple major European airports, including London’s Heathrow.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has confirmed that the individual was taken into custody on Tuesday evening on suspicion of violations under the Computer Misuse Act and has since been released on conditional bail, as reported by the BBC.
This arrest is part of an ongoing inquiry into a significant cyber incident that targeted Collins Aerospace, a U.S.-based firm that supplies essential check-in and baggage software to various airlines.
The attack, which commenced on Friday night, September 19, 2025, involved ransomware, according to the European Union’s cyber-security agency (ENISA).
Paul Foster, the head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, remarked, “While this arrest is a positive development, the investigation into this incident is still in its initial phases and continues.” He underscored that cybercrime remains a “persistent global threat” that causes considerable disruption.
Widespread Airport Chaos
The malfunction of Collins Aerospace’s Muse software, a cloud-based platform for passenger processing, resulted in severe operational issues at airports throughout Europe, including those in Brussels, Dublin, and Berlin.
The disruption led to hundreds of flight delays and cancellations over the weekend and into the subsequent week. Airports were compelled to revert to manual systems, with personnel utilizing pen and paper for check-in and boarding processes.
At Heathrow, additional staff were deployed to assist passengers, yet delays persisted. An internal memo indicated that Collins Aerospace was still facing challenges in restoring its systems after an unsuccessful attempt to reactivate them on Monday.
The company has not provided a recovery timeline and has advised airlines and ground handlers to prepare for at least another week of manual workarounds.
On Wednesday, Berlin Airport reported that check-in and boarding were still “largely manual,”
