Cyberattack on airports: Problems continue at BER and one arrest
Days after the cyberattack, the disruption at BER Airport continues. Meanwhile, a suspect has been arrested in the UK.
There are still delays at check-in at BER.
(Image: Ekaterina Zershchikova/BER)
Following the cyber attack on an airport service provider, the disruption to passengers at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport continued on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the British police reported the arrest of a suspect. He is believed to be responsible for the cyberattack on the US company Collins Aerospace. The outage affected passenger handling at several European airports and caused long waiting times, delays and flight cancellations.
The British National Crime Agency stated in a press release that the suspect was arrested in West Sussex but was later released on bail. He is a man in his forties who is accused of breaching the Computer Misuse Act. The NCA did not provide any further details. The investigation is still in its early stages.
Waiting for a solution continues
Meanwhile, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH announced that further disruptions to flight operations at BER are to be expected on the sixth day after the cyberattack. Apparently, the initial hope for a quick solution turned out to be deceptive: "The provider of the system used for computerized passenger and baggage handling at BER Airport, among others, has announced that the provision of functional and secure software may take several more days. The company has called in additional experts and is working flat out to find a solution," the press release states.
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Many passengers still had to check in and board manually on Wednesday. The airport explained that it had mobilized all available resources. Nevertheless, waiting times and flight cancellations could not be avoided. Travelers were advised to contact their airline in good time to find out whether their booked flight will take place.
Tips for travellers
At least luggage could be automatically sorted by flight again on Wednesday following a change to the procedure. This was also not possible as a result of the attack. This has made processing easier and faster, it is said.
BER Airport continues to recommend that passengers use their airline's online check-in to avoid waiting times at the counters. Self-service kiosks are also available in the terminals, where passengers of the 19 affiliated airlines can check in and print their boarding passes themselves. Baggage can then be checked in without waiting at the fast bag drop stations.
(mki)
