Systems up and running again

Major computer breakdown at German airports

The computer systems of the German Federal Police were down at several German airports on Friday. This led to delays and hours-long waiting times, particularly at immigration checks.

Due to the nationwide IT disruption, border controls were delayed and various tasks had to be carried out manually by police officers. However, only passengers from outside the Schengen area were affected, it was said. A spokesperson for Düsseldorf Airport said that there were long delays at border controls for arrivals and departures.

Flight operations not affected
According to the airport operators, there were also some longer waiting times at Frankfurt and Berlin airports. "However, flight operations are running normally," emphasized a spokesperson for Frankfurt airport operator Fraport. No one at the Federal Police headquarters was initially available for comment. The Federal Criminal Police Office also initially did not comment on the causes.

"There are occasional longer waiting times when entering the country from outside the Schengen area. But there is no entry ban," said a spokeswoman for Berlin Airport in the afternoon. A spokeswoman for the Federal Police in Hanover also explained that the IT systems were affected in parts across Germany.