Cathay Pacific Data Breach: Millions of Travelers in the Mix
Why This News Makes You Feel the Flying Foul
On a Wednesday that sounds a lot like any other day, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd announced that almost 9.4 million passengers—both from its own airline and its Hong Kong sister, Dragon Airlines—had their personal data playfully “borrowed” without permission.
What the Hackers Mooned Over
- 860,000 passport numbers
- ≈245,000 Hong Kong identity card numbers
- 403 expired credit‑card numbers
- 27 credit‑card numbers that were missing CVV codes
Even the little things that could trigger a seat‑belt reminder—like phone numbers, email addresses, and travel history—took a hit. No passwords, though, got a look in from the wrong side.
CEO Says “Oops” and Sets the Plan in Motion
Rupert Hogg, the chief executive, didn’t mince words:
- “We’re very sorry for any worry this data security event may raise.”
- “We swung into action right away, launched a full‑scale investigation with a top cyber‑security firm, and are tightening our IT “security blanket.”
The airline is reaching out to affected passengers to explain how to guard against any slip‑ups that could arise from the breach.
Timeline of the Sneak‑Peek
First whispers of odd network traffic popped up in March 2018. By early May, insiders confirmed that sensitive data had indeed been accessed.
The Bigger Picture: When Others Slip Up
Just weeks earlier, British Airways revealed that hundreds of thousands of its own customers had their credit‑card details siphoned during a two‑week window. Now Cathay Pacific is turning the spotlight on its own data drama.
What’s Been Notified and What’s Unclear
The Hong Kong Police received a formal notification about the breach. No signs yet that any personal information has been misused—at least, that’s what Cathay’s statement says.
So, while the world of aviation keeps a flight‑plan for every traveler, it seems some rogue software might have missed the update. Stay alert, keep your digital luggage in check, and remember: a good travel insurance for your identity is just as important as one for your luggage.
