Australia’s top airline, Qantas, has announced that it is dealing with a significant data breach after hackers infiltrated its customer data system.
Qantas is examining a severe cyberattack following unauthorized access to a system that houses personal records of 6 million of its customers according to the airline.
Upon discovering unusual activities on a third-party platform on Monday, Qantas took swift action to fortify its digital defenses, the airline revealed on Wednesday.
While the extent of the data pilfered was yet to be ascertained, Qantas expressed its belief that a considerable volume had been stolen.
The compromised data features customers’ names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers. Thankfully, credit card details, personal financial information, or passport specifics were spared, Qantas confirmed.
The airline has beefed up security and alerted the authorities including the police, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner about the incident.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson has extended an apology to the affected customers for the data breach.
“Our customers place their trust in us with their personal information, and we take this responsibility with utmost gravity,” Hudson stated.
“We are in direct contact with our customers today and our primary focus is to ensure they receive the required assistance.”
The data breach has surfaced at an inopportune time for Qantas, which is striving to mend its tarnished image following a series of public relations fiascos during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included selling tickets for non-existent flights and opposing a Qatar Airways’ bid to augment its European operations.
Last year, Qantas witnessed a plummet in Skytrax’s World Airline Awards, descending from 17th place to 24th before rebounding 10 spots in the 2025 ranking.
Vanessa Hudson’s predecessor, Alan Joyce, relinquished his position a couple of months ahead of his planned retirement in 2023, acknowledging the necessity for Qantas “to progress with its revitalization with vigor”.
Just last week, the FBI in the United States revealed that a cybercriminal collective known as Scattered Spider has widened its targets to include airlines.
The FBI stated that the hacking group typically impersonates employees or contractors to install ransomware and filch sensitive data with the aim of extortion.
Upon discovering unusual activities on a third-party platform on Monday, Qantas took swift action to fortify its digital defenses, the airline revealed on Wednesday.
While the extent of the data pilfered was yet to be ascertained, Qantas expressed its belief that a considerable volume had been stolen.
The compromised data features customers’ names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers. Thankfully, credit card details, personal financial information, or passport specifics were spared, Qantas confirmed.
The airline has beefed up security and alerted the authorities including the police, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner about the incident.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson has extended an apology to the affected customers for the data breach.
“Our customers place their trust in us with their personal information, and we take this responsibility with utmost gravity,” Hudson stated.
“We are in direct contact with our customers today and our primary focus is to ensure they receive the required assistance.”
The data breach has surfaced at an inopportune time for Qantas, which is striving to mend its tarnished image following a series of public relations fiascos during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included selling tickets for non-existent flights and opposing a Qatar Airways’ bid to augment its European operations.
Last year, Qantas witnessed a plummet in Skytrax’s World Airline Awards, descending from 17th place to 24th before rebounding 10 spots in the 2025 ranking.
Vanessa Hudson’s predecessor, Alan Joyce, relinquished his position a couple of months ahead of his planned retirement in 2023, acknowledging the necessity for Qantas “to progress with its revitalization with vigor”.
Just last week, the FBI in the United States revealed that a cybercriminal collective known as Scattered Spider has widened its targets to include airlines.
The FBI stated that the hacking group typically impersonates employees or contractors to install ransomware and filch sensitive data with the aim of extortion.
