NCA arrest Heathrow cyber attacker who caused chaos across Europe

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested a man in his 40s over the alleged cyber-attack that caused chaos at Heathrow Airport and other European airports.

The NCA made the arrest on Tuesday and he is being held in West Sussex on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offences.

Deputy director Paul Foster, 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.”

Passengers at Heathrow Airport faced at least three-hour long queues after hackers hit Collins Aerospace which provides services for many airports around the world.

Collins Aerospace said they are “experiencing a technical issue which may cause delays for departing passengers,” and the cyber-attack is “limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations.”

The UK’s largest airport has warned of long delays and customers are being advised to check with their airline before flying.

This year Harrods, Marks & Spencer and the Co-op has been targeted by Russian linked group cybercrime group DragonForce and Moscow is believed to behind these “grey zone” attacks, which also affected the US Department of Justice in an “unprecedented” hack.