Hackers steal data from millions of airport customers

Three major UK airports have been hit by a "cyber security incident" in which criminal cyber hackers accessed the data of almost nine million people.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports, said customers' contact details, vehicle registrations and postcodes were obtained by hackers at the weekend.

MAG said that "at no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised" during the incident and the system hacked did not hold customers' bank or payment details.

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.

MAG said in a statement: "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."

The firm said it only became aware of the hack on Tuesday and quickly prevented the hackers gaining any more access, and notified affected customers.

"We immediately contained the risk and have been working with specialist advisors and taking appropriate steps to protect our customers and systems," MAG said.

"We have informed and are working with the relevant authorities."