Cyber Shockwaves: UK Man Arrested After Heathrow Hack Chaos
In a dramatic turn of events, a man in his 40s has been arrested in West Sussex following a cyber-attack that brought London Heathrow and several European airports to a standstill last weekend.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed the arrest, which forms part of an ongoing investigation into a hack targeting Collins Aerospace — the company behind the check-in desk systems used by many major airlines. The disruption left thousands of travelers stranded, sparked flight cancellations, and forced airline staff to revert to manual check-ins.
The suspect, detained under the Computer Misuse Act, was released on conditional bail on Tuesday evening. Authorities stressed the investigation is still in its early stages.
The incident, first reported last Friday, caused widespread chaos across Europe. Brussels Airport was the hardest hit, while Heathrow — though less directly affected — saw around 20 cancellations and severe delays ripple through its weekend schedule. Airports in Berlin and Dublin also reported major disruptions.
Paul Foster, deputy director of the NCA and head of its National Cyber Crime Unit, said:
“Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing. Cybercrime is a persistent global threat that continues to cause significant disruption to the UK.”
This latest breach adds to a growing list of high-profile cyberattacks hammering Britain’s biggest industries in 2024. Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata, was forced to halt production for weeks earlier this year, while retailers like Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have also been hit with costly attacks.
Collins Aerospace — part of RTX, one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence giants listed in New York — now finds itself at the centre of scrutiny as authorities race to uncover the full extent of the Heathrow hack.
For now, travellers and airlines alike are left to wonder: was this just the work of one man, or part of something far larger?