A major cyber attack has affected Manchester Airport, London Stansted Airport and East Midlands Airport, with data linked to around 8.7 million customers accessed by an unauthorised third party.
As reported by BBC-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.
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) August 27, 2026
Manchester Airports Group, which owns Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports, said customers' contact details,âŚ
More than eight million passengers have been affected by a major cyber attack on a group of airports – the Manchester Airports Group – which includes Manchester Airport, London Stansted and East Midlands.
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 27, 2026
What we know so far âŹď¸https://t.co/awoVhPm3Hk pic.twitter.com/DqGQggUysw
Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which operates the three airports, said the incident involved customer information connected with airport Wi-Fi registrations, car park bookings, lounge reservations and fast-track services. The company said airport operations continued normally and that passenger safety and aviation security were not compromised.
The affected system did not contain customersâ bank or payment details, according to MAG. Most of the information accessed is understood to have been email addresses linked to Wi-Fi sign-ups, while some records also included phone numbers, postcodes and vehicle registration numbers.
Customers affected: Around 8.7 million
Airports: Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands
Airport operator: Manchester Airports Group (MAG)
Potentially accessed data: Email addresses, phone numbers, postcodes and vehicle registrations
Bank or payment information: Not held in the affected system
Flights and airport operations: Continuing normally
What information was accessed in the airport cyber attack?
The breach affected information associated with several services used by passengers at the three airports.
- Email addresses associated with airport Wi-Fi registrations
- Phone numbers in some customer records
- Postcodes
- Vehicle registration numbers
- Information connected with car park bookings
- Details linked to lounge and fast-track reservations
MAG said that most of the accessed information was limited to customer email addresses associated with Wi-Fi registrations inside airport terminals. More detailed information was linked to customers who had used services such as parking, lounges or fast-track bookings.
Importantly, MAG said the compromised system did not hold customersâ bank or payment information. The group also said airport operations and aviation security were not disrupted by the incident.
Passengers can check the latest information directly through the Manchester Airports Group website, as well as official updates from Manchester Airport, London Stansted Airport and East Midlands Airport.
Should Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands passengers be worried?
The immediate concern for affected customers is likely to be the possibility of phishing, impersonation or scam messages using information obtained during the incident.
London Stansted Airport has advised customers to be especially cautious about unexpected emails, calls or text messages claiming to come from the airport. Customers should be wary of any communication asking for payment, banking information or account credentials.
Anyone who has recently used Wi-Fi, parking, lounge or fast-track services at Manchester, Stansted or East Midlands Airport should be cautious about unexpected messages that reference their travel or airport activity.
Cyber incidents involving large customer databases can sometimes lead to follow-up scam attempts. The incident comes as cybersecurity threats affecting major companies and public services continue to put greater focus on how organisations protect customer information.
- Do not provide banking or card details.
- Do not click unexpected links.
- Check the sender address carefully.
- Visit the airportâs official website directly instead of using links in unsolicited messages.
- Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts where available.
- Change passwords if you believe an account may have been compromised.
Anyone who receives a suspicious message can also follow phishing guidance from the UK National Cyber Security Centre.
MAG said it contained the risk after becoming aware of the incident and is working with specialist advisers and relevant authorities.
The company said the cyber incident has not caused operational disruption and that airport operations and customer parking services continue as normal.
For travellers, the breach is primarily a data-security issue rather than an aviation disruption. Other travel and aviation developments have similarly highlighted how digital systems have become increasingly important to everyday passenger services.
For passengers travelling today: there is currently no indication from MAG that flights have been disrupted because of the cyber incident. Travellers should continue to check their airline and airport for the latest flight information before leaving for the airport.
This is a developing story. Details may be updated as Manchester Airports Group or authorities release further information.
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