Not all turbulence is felt at 30,000 feet. Even as passengers brace for rough weather, a cyber storm is quietly brewing in the digital realm of the aviation industry.
Qantas Airways recently fell victim to a cyberattack that exposed sensitive data from more than 5.7 million customers, including names, emails, and frequent flyer information. While core flight systems remained untouched, the reputational fallout for Australia’s flagship carrier was swift, prompting regulatory action and legal injunctions.
Qantas wasn’t alone. According to Thales, there were 27 major attacks by 22 ransomware groups on the aviation sector between January 2024 and April 2025. Airlines must brace for a turbulent journey ahead and strengthen their defences to combat the growing cyberthreat.
Warning: cyber turbulence ahead
The aviation industry sits on a goldmine of personal data, including passenger identities, payment information, travel itineraries, and loyalty program records. This makes it a prime target for bad actors seeking to exploit personal data for financial gain. Yet many airlines and airports remain surprisingly vulnerable to cyberthreats.
A major contributing factor is legacy infrastructure. While airplanes have evolved rapidly, back-end IT systems have not. Many still rely on ageing operational infrastructure that isn’t built to withstand modern threats. These legacy systems remain connected to live networks and third-party platforms for efficiency, which can open digital back doors for attackers.
The industry’s heavy reliance on third-party providers, from booking engines to customer service portals, also amplifies the risk. Weaker security controls anywhere in the supply chain can compromise the entire network. Case in point: the Qantas breach originated from a third-party platform used by its contact centre.
Moreover, bad actors are no longer relying solely on malware or brute force. They are increasingly exploiting weaknesses in human behaviour to infiltrate network systems. Compromised-credential attacks have been the most common threat vector over the past decade.
Groups like Scattered Spider, believed to be behind the Qantas breach, are masters of social engineering. They impersonate airline employees or IT contractors to trick help desks into granting them access to the airlines’ networks. Once inside, they can exfiltrate data and deploy ransomware across critical systems.
Flying smarter with AI
As airlines confront a new era of digital threats, legacy security tools are no longer sufficient to counter highly sophisticated attack vectors.
Modern AI-driven security approaches can analyse vast amounts of activity data to identify unusual patterns and flag potential risks in real time. By automating detection and accelerating response, these capabilities help reduce the time between intrusion and containment, often the key factor separating a minor incident from a major breach.
Navigating cyber turbulence
Airlines must adopt a multi-pronged approach to fortify their cyber defences. Beyond security tools, this begins with fostering a strong internal culture of security, where comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training for all employees is not just a policy but a shared responsibility. A well-informed workforce forms a powerful first line of defence, better equipped to protect organisational data and assets and to identify vulnerabilities before they escalate into major breaches.
This vigilance must also extend to external partnerships. Airlines should strengthen third-party risk management by conducting thorough assessments of vendors to evaluate their cybersecurity posture. They need to ask critical questions about vendors’ security controls, policies, and incident-response capabilities to ensure that external partners can keep customer data secure.
These efforts should be supported by public-sector oversight, recognising aviation as a critical national asset. In Singapore, for example, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore enforces stringent cybersecurity measures for the aviation sector under the Cybersecurity Act. The law requires aviation stakeholders to safeguard essential information infrastructure and to report cyber incidents swiftly, ensuring a rapid, coordinated national response.
Charting a safe flight path ahead
A single cyber incident can cost millions through flight delays, rebookings, customer churn, and legal expenses. Beyond operational disruption, reputational damage can erode hard-won customer trust for years.
Given these consequences, the aviation sector must invest in improved detection and response measures, reinforce third-party risk management, and foster a culture of ongoing cyber vigilance. When digital turbulence strikes, a strong culture of cybersecurity readiness will help ensure a safe landing for the industry.
