Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has confirmed that a cyber security incident at three major UK airports led to the access of data belonging to approximately 8.7 million customers. The affected airports are Manchester Airport, London Stansted and East Midlands Airport.
The company stated that at no point was passenger safety or aviation security compromised during the incident. Neither MAG nor the affected system held customers' bank or payment details.
Data accessed in the incident
It is understood that the majority of the data accessed was restricted to customer email addresses and related to wifi sign-ups within the airports' terminals. Phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes were also accessed during the hack, the company said.
Operations at all three airports remained unaffected throughout the incident.
Company response and reassurance
A MAG spokesperson said 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 wifi 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.”
