A cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a global provider of check-in and boarding systems, has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, leading to widespread delays and cancellations on Saturday.

Heathrow Airport confirmed that departing passengers faced delays due to a technical fault in Collins Aerospace’s systems, which provide key services for airlines worldwide. Brussels and Berlin airports issued similar statements, noting that automated check-in and baggage systems had been rendered inoperable since Friday night, forcing a switch to manual operations.

RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the incident as a “cyber-related disruption” but did not specify which airports were affected. The company added that the problem was limited to electronic check-in and baggage handling and assured that teams were working to restore full service.

Brussels Airport described the impact as “large,” warning of ongoing delays and cancellations. Passengers with Saturday flights were urged to confirm arrangements with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Berlin Airport also posted an alert on its website, citing longer waiting times at check-in and promising a swift resolution.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport and Zurich Airport confirmed they were not affected by the disruption.

The government has appointed global audit and advisory firm KPMG as a transaction advisor to guide the restructuring and future direction of AT Ghana, the state-owned telecommunications company struggling with debts exceeding $150 million.

The intervention comes in the wake of escalating tensions between AT Ghana and its tower operator, ATC Ghana, over unpaid charges, which recently led to the nationwide disconnection of AT’s radio access networks. The action, triggered by long-standing indebtedness, nearly left over three million subscribers without service.

Crisis Management

To avert a total blackout, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced last Friday that government had directed AT and Telecel Ghana to establish a national roaming agreement. This measure, implemented through the National Communications Authority (NCA), has ensured uninterrupted access to voice, SMS, data, and AT Money services.

Mr. George praised the swift technical collaboration between the two operators, describing their work under difficult conditions as proof of Ghana’s strong telecom expertise.

KPMG has been given 60 days to provide recommendations on restructuring AT Ghana and reviewing government’s shareholding in Telecel Ghana. The ultimate goal, the Minister explained, is to create a strong second operator to balance the country’s telecom market, currently dominated by MTN.

No Merger or Acquisition

Responding to speculation, Mr. George clarified that the current process is neither a merger nor an acquisition.

“What we are witnessing is not a merger and neither is it an acquisition. This is a faux-merger situation, pending the outcome of KPMG’s advisory report,” he stressed.

The final decision on AT Ghana’s future will depend on KPMG’s findings and subsequent government action.

Protecting Jobs

Addressing concerns about staff, Mr. George assured that none of AT’s 300 permanent employees would lose their jobs. He also revealed that the transaction advisor would assess the situation of over 200 contract staff.

“The government is committed to protecting AT workers and their dependents from any adverse effects of the restructuring,” he affirmed.

Stakeholders, including subscribers, creditors, suppliers, and tower operators, have been urged to await KPMG’s report for clarity on the company’s long-term direction.

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has dismissed claims that the ongoing collaboration between AT Ghana and Telecel amounts to a merger or acquisition.

Addressing the media in Accra on Friday, September 5, 2025, Mr. George explained that the arrangement is a temporary regulatory intervention to safeguard consumers after AT Ghana’s debt crisis with tower operator ATC Ghana.

He revealed that the issue began in 2020 when AT defaulted on recurring charges, leading to debts that by September 1, 2025, had soared above US$150 million. ATC Ghana subsequently disconnected power to AT’s sites nationwide, threatening a total blackout for over three million subscribers.

To prevent a collapse of services, the National Communications Authority (NCA) instructed AT Ghana and Telecel to establish a national roaming agreement. This allowed AT’s customers to continue accessing voice, data, SMS, and mobile money services through Telecel’s network.

“What is happening is not a merger and neither is it an acquisition,” Mr. George emphasized. He urged stakeholders, including subscribers, tower firms, suppliers, and creditors, to await the outcome of a transaction advisor’s assessment, which will clarify outstanding debts and AT Ghana’s future.

He praised the technical teams of both companies for their swift integration, describing it as proof of Ghanaian engineers’ competence, though he cautioned that minor service disruptions may occur during the transition.

On the company’s future, Mr. George disclosed that government has appointed KPMG as transaction advisor with a 60-day mandate to propose solutions for stabilizing Ghana’s telecom sector. The advisor will also review government’s shareholding in Telecel.

He assured that AT Ghana’s 300 permanent employees will retain their jobs, while the fate of more than 200 contract staff remains under review.