Three major UK airports have been affected by a cyber security incident in which the personal data of around 8.7 million customers was accessed, Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has confirmed.

The group, which operates Manchester Airport, London Stansted and East Midlands Airport, said an unauthorised third party had gained access to customer information but stressed that airport operations and aviation security had not been compromised.

A MAG spokesperson said on Thursday, August 27,: “Manchester Airports group has been subject to a cyber security incident by an unauthorised third party.

“A quantity of customer data has been obtained that relates to car park, lounge and fast track bookings and in-airport wifi sign-ups at Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports. We immediately contained the risk and have been working with specialist advisers and taking appropriate steps to protect our customers and systems.

“We have informed and are working with the relevant authorities. At no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised. The incident has not resulted in any operational disruption. Airport operations remain unaffected and customer parking services continue to operate normally.”

The company said the information accessed included customers’ email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes. It said the majority of the affected data was linked to email addresses provided when customers signed up for Wi-Fi services at the airports. MAG said neither its own systems nor the system accessed by the attacker contained customers’ banking or payment details.

“Neither Mag nor the system accessed hold customers’ bank or payment details,” the spokesperson said. “The data that has been accessed includes customers’ email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes. 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.”

Manchester Airport handled more than 32 million passengers last year, while around 30 million travelled through Stansted and approximately four million used East Midlands Airport. The incident has been reported to the relevant authorities, with MAG saying it is working with specialist advisers as the response continues.