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The spate of cyber and hybrid attacks targeting aviation has put the industry – and passengers – on high alert.

Thousands of travellers had their weekend plans upended after a suspected cyberattack hampered ground operations across major European airports like Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin.

Airline staff were forced to process check-in details manually after a ‘technical issue’ affected US firm Collins Aerospace, causing significant delays and disruption over the weekend.

Now all eyes have turned to Denmark after mysterious drones were spotted flying over four of its airports – Aalborg, Sonderborg and Esbjerg, as well as at the Skrydstrup airbase – last night and this morning.

This came after drones were spotted hovering above Copenhagen and Oslo’s airports earlier this week.

The incidents have reminded us that aviation is exposed to the whims of malign actors – despite a constant race to plug any vulnerabilities.

So, how prepared is the UK for the likelihood of more cyber attacks targeting aviation – and how worried should you be?

Mantas Sabeckis, an ethical hacker and infosecurity researcher, told Metro: ‘It seems that the UK aviation world is taking cyber threats seriously and working hard to stay ahead. Groups like the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Cyber Security Centre have laid out clear plans and guidance to help airports, airlines, and everyone involved keep their digital systems safe.

‘They push for basics like keeping systems updated, training staff on cyber risks, and having a solid plan to bounce back quickly if something goes wrong.’

He pointed to the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey, which shows that around 76% of large UK businesses have plans in place for cyber incidents.

‘That said, aviation is very complex, with lots of different companies and suppliers working together,’ Mr Sabeckis continued.

‘This means there are still weak spots – like the recent cyberattack linked to Collins Aerospace that caused big headaches at airports.

‘So, even though the UK is doing well compared to many places, the job of protecting aviation cyber systems is never done. You have to keep learning, improving, and staying alert as hackers get smarter.’

But despite the precautions and requirements, malign actors can still find and exploit cracks in the system – and airports are seen as a high-value target.

Dr Daniel Gardham, from the University of Surrey Centre for Cyber Security, said it is ‘unsurprising’ that attackers are going after aviation.

‘There’s a reason the attackers are going after these very visible targets, he told Metro.

‘One is that it affects the everyday person – it brings your attention to these matters, whether you care about it or not.  

‘And secondly, with airports in particular, different systems have to work together.’

He said the systems – ranging from software managing the conveyor belt and baggage to the fuel pumps for aircraft – have to talk to each, creating a bigger ‘attack surface.’

‘It is unsurprising that they are able to find vulnerabilities at an airport, just because of the scale of the operation, and the fact that it comprises so many pieces that have to work together.  

These complexities are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, despite advancements in AI and technology – but an average traveller shouldn’t lose sleep over possible cyber-related flight disruption.

Dr Gardham said: ‘I’m sure the airports themselves are very worried, because they know the target they paint.’

While passengers should be mindful about cybersecurity, there’s not much passengers themselves can do, both experts agreed.

Dr Gardham recommended taking out travel insurance to make sure that ‘you are covered in case something happens.’

Mr Sabeckis said that most cyberattacks target airports and airline systems ‘rather than passengers directly.’

What about aviation in the US?

It is not just the UK and European travel hubs that have been targeted in recent years.

Airlines in the US fell victim to the Scattered Spider cybercrime network shortly after hackers paralysed Marks and Spencer payment systems in the UK, leading the FBI to issue an alert about the group in June.

The FBI said it has seen the Scattered Spider cybercriminal group ‘expanding its targeting to include the airline sector.’

‘These actors rely on social engineering techniques, often impersonating employees or contractors to deceive IT help desks into granting access,’ the FBI warned.

Concerns were raised earlier this year over the impact on US aviation safety after Donald Trump launched attacks against the Federal Aviation Authority and fired air traffic controllers in the aftermath of the American Airlines crash over the Potomac River.

Mr Sabeckis told Metro: ‘It doesn’t seem that policies under President Donald Trump have directly made US aviation more vulnerable to cyberattacks. However, cybersecurity readiness can be influenced by changes in government priorities and funding decisions.

‘During the Trump administration, some regulatory and security programs underwent shifts (for instance, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency faced proposed cuts) that may have affected long-term investments in cyber defense, but these impacts are generally indirect and part of broader, complex factors.

‘Currently, the US aviation sector faces similar cybersecurity challenges as the UK and other countries, including ransomware, supply chain risks, and phishing attacks. In 2024, Bridewell reported that 55% of US civil aviation organisations had experienced a ransomware attack over the previous 12 months. This shows the growing risk regardless of specific political influences.

‘Overall, maintaining and improving cyber defenses in US aviation depends on consistent funding, strong regulation, and collaboration across public and private sectors, which requires ongoing attention beyond any single administration.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

There’s one exception to the rule.

Worried about whether your holiday could suffer? The Metro Travel team has rounded up all the strikes set to take place from now until the end of the month.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has thrown his weight behind Gatwick Airport’s controversial second runway despite opposition from environmental campaigners.

Sir Keir spoke to Metro at Downing Street just hours after Gatwick’s plan to open its emergency runway for routine use was given a green light by the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.

Gatwick says the plan will create 14,000 jobs and inject up to £1 billion into the economy, but campaigners and residents have not been swayed.

The PM defended the decision after accusations that airport expansion projects at Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton could hit the government’s net zero targets.

Sir Keir insisted that it is possible to ‘do both’ – support growth and meet Britain’s climate targets.

When asked whether he is a climate doomer, the PM told Metro: ‘I strongly believe that we can get this right, which means we can have the expansion of the growth that we need at the same time as meeting our climate obligations, and we can do both.

‘In other words, you don’t have to choose one or the other.

‘You don’t have to sort of say to people nobody can travel in the way they want anymore.

‘I think that would be completely the wrong thing to do.

‘But at the same time we are developing our sustainable fuels and other action that will mitigate in relation to the climate.

‘So this is one of those situations where, because of the way we’ve approached it, you can actually do both – yes, allow people to travel for work, for pleasure, to go on holiday.

‘Everybody wants to do that, but at the same time, make that consistent with our climate obligations.’

He told Metro that the increased demand at Gatwick and bringing the second runway into regular use is ‘really good.’

He said that Gatwick is already ‘a huge magnet for really good, well paid jobs,’ with the second runway adding 14,000 new jobs.

Sir Keir said: ‘Obviously, as part of the package, you would expect, there are noise conditions, to make sure that it doesn’t add significantly to noise for local people.

‘And a condition that public transport must be used for over half the people going to Gatwick.

‘But look, for the people, local people for jobs, it’s really good.

‘It’s obviously great for businesses, travel, and those people who want to go on holiday because the increased size of the airport means more passengers getting through up to 80 million.’

The UK’s second busiest airport wants to add around 100,000 more flights every year, which is set to boost passenger numbers to 80 million annually.

The £2,200,000,000 project – funded privately – will see the emergency runway moved 39 feet further north so that it can be used at the same time as the main airstrip.

Meanwhile, a government source argued that giving the plan the go-ahead is ‘a no-brainer for growth’ due to ‘capacity constraints holding back business, trade and tourism.’

But campaigners are up in arms about the decision after concerns over noise, and the impact on local roads and the environment.

Green Party’s new leader Zack Polanski described the decision as a ‘disaster.’

He said: ‘It ignores basic climate science and risks undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

‘Labour keeps wheeling out the same nonsense about growth, but at what cost? What this really means is more pollution, more noise for local communities, and no real economic benefit.’

Greenpeace UK’s policy director Doug Parr said it ‘smacks of desperation, completely ignoring the solid evidence that increasing air travel won’t drive economic growth.’

CAGNE, the umbrella organisation representing residents and environmental groups in the wider area, said the decision was ‘misguided.’ It said the group is standing by to launch a legal challenge.

Flights could be taking off from the second runway by 2029, Metro understands.

Stewart Wingate, the managing director for Vinci Airports, said: ‘After a lengthy and rigorous planning process, we welcome the Government’s approval of plans to bring our Northern Runway into routine use, ahead of the expected deadline. 

‘This is another important gateway in the planning process for this £2.2bn investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for London Gatwick and the UK and create thousands of jobs. 

‘As we’ve said previously, it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to realise the full benefits of the project and do not impose unnecessary constraints that make it uneconomic to invest in.  

‘We now need to carefully examine the details of the planning consent. Once we have done that, we will be able to comment further.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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People gather near Termini train station during a nationwide strike called “Let’s Block Everything” in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and demanding a halt to arms shipments to Israel, in Rome (Picture: EPA)

Workers …

National Highways have said there are diversions in place as they resolve the issue (Pic: Traffic Cameras UK)

Traffic has slowed to a halt on the M25 in Surrey after a lorry caught fire.

There are delays anti-clockwise between J9 Leatherh…

Passengers are seen in front of the check-in counters in Terminal 1 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Sch’nefeld, Germany (Picture: AP)

The cause behind the disruption of operations at Europe’s largest airports has finally been …

Gatwick Airport has had its controversial second runway plan approved, which is expected to add over 100,000 more flights a year.

The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, approved Gatwick’s proposal to transform its northern emergency runway into permanent use in a bid to boost capacity.

Flights could be taking off from the second runway by 2029, Metro understands.

The project, which will be entirely privately funded, will see the northern runway moved around 39 feet to cater for more arriving and outgoing flights, and both Gatwick terminals would also be revamped and existing taxiways removelled.

Annual passenger numbers are forecast to increase to 80 million a year.

Gatwick says the proposal will add jobs and boost the economy, but campaigners have opposed the plan for years, and have raised concerns over noise and impact on roads from increase in traffic.

A government source told Metro: ‘The Transport Secretary has cleared Gatwick expansion for take-off.

‘With capacity constraints holding back business, trade and tourism, this is a no-brainer for growth.

‘This Government has taken unprecedented steps to get this done, navigating a needlessly complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in future.

‘It is possible that planes could be taking off from a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election.

‘Any airport expansion must be delivered in line with our legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements.’

Ms Alexander said after the decision was revealed early: ‘Expanding

‘Gatwick Airport is the right thing to do. Along with new jobs for the area, this project will bring significant national economic benefits, helping deliver our Plan for Change.’

Inside the Gatwick Airport expansion plan

Gatwick, located at the Surrey and West Sussex border, handles around 280,000 flights each year.

Permanent use of the second runway is set to increase flight capacity to around 389,000 by the 2030s.

Around 10-15 flights could take off every hour during peak periods when the northern runway is open.

The northern runway is only used in an emergency or for taxiing planes at the moment.

Currently, the main and northern airstrips are too close to each other, so the northern runway is only used when the main runway is out of action.

A chunk of the £2.2 billion pot would be used to move the northern runway by 39 feet, along with extending and revamping both terminals and existing taxiways.

The Transport Secretary’s final decision was first expected in February.

But she only gave preliminary approval for the planning application, known as ‘minded to grant consent.’

The final decision was not expected until October 27, but the letter got published ‘slightly earlier,’ a government source told Metro.

Reaction to the Gatwick expansion

Concerns were raised over traffic and noise, and its impact on the surrounding areas, which was also raised by the planning inspectorate.

It recommended extra controls and noise mitigation measures, which had to be considered before the final approval.

Hannah Lawrence, a spokesperson for Stay Grounded, a network of over 200 organisations working to cut flying, said: ‘Giving the green light to Gatwick’s second runway prioritises the profit of a few at the expense of all of us.

‘This decision will threaten – rather than create – prosperity for the people of the UK.

‘It will lead to more money flying out of the country and the infrastructure will become worthless as the climate crisis causes chaos. We need an
immediate end to airport expansion and money put into improving
sustainable transport such as trains.’

Airport expansions have been in the spotlight this year after several high-profile plans, including the Heathrow bid for a third runway.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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