©(Carsten Koall/dpa via AP)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How do you think people feel when their travel plans suddenly change?
- What would you do if you had to wait many hours before a trip?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- disrupt /dis-RUHPT/
[verb] – to interrupt or stop the normal progress of something
Heavy rain disrupted train services across the country, causing long delays. - update /UHP-deyt/
[noun] – the newest version of information, software, or a system
The company released an update to fix problems in the mobile app. - operational /op-uh-REY-shuh-nl/
[adjective] – working and ready to be used
The emergency center became operational within two hours after the storm. - hacker /HAK-er/
[noun] – a person who uses a computer to get into a system without permission
The website was attacked by hackers who wanted to block access to its pages. - claim /kleym/
[verb] – to say that something is true, often without proof
The group claimed responsibility for the data leak, but officials are still checking.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A cyberattack disrupted check-in systems at major European airports from Friday evening, September 19, 2025, to Sunday, September 21, 2025. The incident caused major delays and cancellations, with Brussels, Berlin, and London airports being the most affected. Brussels Airport suffered the greatest impact. Officials requested the cancellation of nearly 140 flights scheduled for Monday, September 22, because Collins Aerospace, the U.S. company responsible for the system, had not yet delivered a secure software update. The disruption began when airlines could not issue boarding passes, bag tags, or luggage tags electronically. As a result, carriers relied on manual systems, and Brussels Airport reported 25 canceled flights on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and 50 flights on Sunday, September 21, 2025, showing how serious the problem was.
The attack mainly targeted the check-in desks, but self-service kiosks, online check-in, and air traffic control remained operational. Airport staff used handwritten boarding passes and backup laptops, leading to long queues and waiting times for passengers. Experts suggested that hackers, criminal organizations, or state actors could be responsible, but no group has claimed the attack. The European Commission confirmed that aviation safety was not at risk. Collins Aerospace stated the issue was limited to passenger check-in and baggage services and promised a secure update. Analysts stressed that the incident highlights how strongly international travel depends on complex digital systems, which remain vulnerable to cyberattacks.
The attack mainly targeted the check-in desks, but self-service kiosks, online check-in, and air traffic control remained operational. Airport staff used handwritten boarding passes and backup laptops, leading to long queues and waiting times for passengers. Experts suggested that hackers, criminal organizations, or state actors could be responsible, but no group has claimed the attack. The European Commission confirmed that aviation safety was not at risk. Collins Aerospace stated the issue was limited to passenger check-in and baggage services and promised a secure update. Analysts stressed that the incident highlights how strongly international travel depends on complex digital systems, which remain vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Which three airports were the most affected by the incident?
- Which airport suffered the greatest impact from the cyberattack?
- Which airport services were still working during the cyberattack?
- What tools did airport staff use to help passengers during the disruption?
- What did analysts say the incident shows about international travel?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever had a delay when traveling? If yes, what happened and how did you feel? If not, what do you imagine people feel when their flight is delayed?
- Have you ever checked in at an airport by yourself, for example at a machine or online? If yes, was it easy or difficult? If not, would you like to try it one day? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that traveling today is more difficult because airports depend on computers?
- What can airports do to protect their computer systems from another cyberattack?
- How might delays at big airports affect other cities and countries?