How did the Manchester Airports Group cyberattack take place, and what data was exposed in the 8.7 million customer records? The experts weigh in

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), operator of Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, says hackers stole data linked to up to 8.7 million customers. The exposed information includes email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes. MAG indicated the data likely came from a range of services, including car park systems, lounge and Fast Track bookings, and in-airport Wi-Fi sign-ups, suggesting a large database may have been accessed. The company said banking and financial information was not affected, and passenger safety and aviation security were not compromised. MAG told affected customers to watch for targeted phishing and scams involving details like flights and number plates, and to be cautious with suspicious links or calls. Experts cited the scale as a sign aviation needs stronger cyber defenses.