A man in his 40s has been arrested in West Sussex in connection with the Heathrow cyber attack that disrupted flights at London Heathrow and several major European airports last weekend. The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed the arrest, which is linked to the cyber incident affecting Collins Aerospace, a key provider of check-in desk technology for airlines.
The NCA, supported by officers from the organised crime unit, arrested the suspect on Tuesday evening on suspicion of offences under the UK’s Computer Misuse Act. He has since been released on conditional bail while the investigation continues.
The cyber incident, reported last Friday, caused widespread delays and cancellations. At Heathrow, around 20 flights were cancelled and most others delayed. Airlines were forced to manually check in passengers after Collins Aerospace systems went offline. Brussels was the worst-affected hub, while Berlin and Dublin airports also reported disruptions.
NCA Statement on Ongoing Investigation
Paul Foster, deputy director and head of the NCA’s 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. Alongside our partners here and overseas, the NCA is committed to reducing that threat in order to protect the British public.”
The arrest underscores the UK’s growing efforts to counter cybercrime, which has increasingly targeted critical infrastructure, supply chains, and multinational corporations.
Collins Aerospace and Airline Impact
Collins Aerospace, owned by US-listed RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), is one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies. Its systems are used by major airlines worldwide, making the disruption particularly severe.
The incident forced airlines to revert to manual check-in procedures, straining operations during a busy travel period. While Heathrow was only partially affected, airports across Europe experienced chaos, highlighting the vulnerabilities of global aviation systems to cyber threats.
Broader Cybercrime Context in the UK
The Heathrow cyber attack is the latest in a series of high-profile breaches this year. Jaguar Land Rover, Britain’s largest automotive employer, was forced to halt production for weeks following a cyber attack. Retail giants Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have also reported costly cyber incidents, adding pressure on companies to strengthen their digital defenses.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such attacks will continue to rise as criminal groups exploit weaknesses in critical infrastructure. The UK government and private sector have both increased investment in cyber defense, but challenges remain in preventing large-scale disruptions.
