A cyber security incident at three major UK airports has compromised the data of approximately 8.7 million customers, Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has confirmed.
MAG, which operates Manchester Airport, London Stansted and East Midlands Airport, said the breach affected customer data related to car park, lounge and fast track bookings and in-airport Wi-Fi sign-ups. The firm stressed that "at no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised" and that neither MAG nor the system hacked held customers' bank or payment details.
Data obtained in the breach
The bulk of the data obtained was limited to customer email addresses connected to Wi-Fi sign-ups across the airports' terminals. Phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes were also obtained during the incident, the firm revealed.
Services at all three sites continued "unaffected" throughout the breach, with no operational disruption reported.
MAG's response and reassurance
A MAG representative confirmed the incident on Thursday: "Manchester Airports group has been subject to a cyber security incident by an unauthorised third party. A quantity of customer data has been obtained that relates to car park, lounge and fast track bookings and in-airport Wi-Fi sign-ups at Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports."
"We immediately contained the risk and have been working with specialist advisers and taking appropriate steps to protect our customers and systems. We have informed and are working with the relevant authorities. At no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised."
"The incident has not resulted in any operational disruption. Airport operations remain unaffected and customer parking services continue to operate normally."
"Neither MAG nor the system accessed hold customers' bank or payment details. The data that has been accessed includes customers' email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes."
"We would like to reassure customers that Manchester Airport Group takes the security of customer information extremely seriously and we apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused."
