Irish police have arrested a man at Dublin Airport amid concerns he may be linked to a series of cyberattacks that have disrupted airports across Europe. The suspect was reportedly travelling to JFK Airport in the United States, having arrived from London Heathrow. During a stopover in Dublin, security officials discovered suspected devices in his luggage while he was checking it through security.

In response to the discovery, an "extreme security alert" was issued, leading to the evacuation of the terminal for several hours. The airport has since reopened, and passengers have been allowed to return. Senior security sources indicated that authorities are investigating the possibility of a "co-ordinated element" in light of the recent cyber incidents affecting major European airports.

This incident follows a day after Dublin Airport announced a relaxation of its 100ml liquids restriction for hand luggage, a rule that has been enforced globally. Passengers are now permitted to carry up to 2 litres of liquids in their hand luggage without the need to pack them into clear plastic bags. This change aims to streamline the security process at the airport.

The cyberattacks have caused significant disruptions at several key European aviation hubs, leading to slow queues, delays, and cancellations. Collins Aerospace, a third-party supplier responsible for check-in and boarding systems for various airlines, has been particularly affected. A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport stated, "A third-party supplier providing check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports is experiencing a technical issue, which may cause delays for departing passengers. The provider is working to resolve the problem quickly."

In Brussels, one of the worst-hit airports, cancellations have increased to 14 flights, with those still departing facing delays of up to an hour. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport, as additional staff are available in check-in areas to assist and minimise disruption.