Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, has confirmed a cyber-attack in which hackers accessed the data of around 8.7 million customers. The company says passenger safety is not affected.
Key facts
- Hackers accessed data of about 8.7 million customers.
- Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports were affected.
- Exposed data included email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes.
- The breach related to car park, lounge and fast-track bookings and in-airport wifi sign-ups.
- Manchester Airports Group (MAG) says passenger safety is unaffected.
Three major UK airports operated by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) have been hit by a cyber-attack in which hackers accessed the personal data of about 8.7 million customers, according to the Guardian.
The affected hubs are Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, all of which are run by MAG. The company said the incident compromised data linked to car park, lounge and fast-track bookings, as well as in-airport wifi sign-ups.
According to MAG, the data accessed by hackers included customers’ email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes. The scale of the breach means millions of travellers who used these services could be affected.
Despite the size of the incident, MAG stressed that passenger safety has not been affected by the attack. The company operates three of the UK’s busiest air travel gateways, handling large volumes of passengers.
The Guardian reported the breach as part of its ongoing coverage, noting that the exposed information was tied specifically to booking and connectivity services rather than to core flight operations.
At the time of reporting, the sources did not provide further details on how the breach occurred, when it was discovered, or what steps affected customers should take.
Why it matters
With data from 8.7 million customers exposed, this is a significant breach affecting travellers who used parking, lounge, fast-track or wifi services at three major UK airports. Personal details such as email addresses, phone numbers and vehicle registrations can be used in phishing and fraud attempts, making the incident a concern for millions of passengers.
Frequently asked questions
Which airports were affected by the cyber-attack?
The attack affected Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, all operated by Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
What customer data was accessed?
According to MAG, hackers accessed email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes, linked to car park, lounge and fast-track bookings and in-airport wifi sign-ups.
Was passenger safety affected?
No. MAG said passenger safety was unaffected by the incident.