LONDON: British Airways apologized on Friday after the credit card details of hundreds of thousands of its customers were stolen over a two-week period in the most serious attack on its website and app.
The airline discovered on Wednesday that bookings made between Aug. 21 and Sept. 5 had been infiltrated in a “very sophisticated, malicious criminal” attack, BA Chairman and Chief Executive Alex Cruz said. It immediately contacted customers when the extent of the breach became clear.
Around 380,000 card payments were compromised, the airline said, with hackers obtaining names, street and email addresses, credit card numbers, expiry dates and security codes — sufficient information to steal from accounts.
The attack came 15 months after the carrier suffered a massive computer system failure at London’s Heathrow airport, which stranded 75,000 customers over a holiday weekend.
Shares in BA’s parent, International Airlines Group , were down 2 percent in afternoon trading on Friday.
Cruz said the carrier was “deeply sorry” for the disruption caused by the attack which was unprecedented in the more than 20 years that BA had operated online.
He said the attackers had not broken the airline’s encryption but did not explain exactly how they had obtained the customer information.
“There were other methods, very sophisticated efforts, by criminals in obtaining the data,” he told BBC radio.
IT security company Avast said that based on the limited information available the attackers had probably targeted a gateway between the airline and a payment processor because no travel details had been stolen.
“Quite often, when it’s just a hack of a database somewhere it is hard to identify when something has been compromised,” Avast’s consumer security expert Pete Turner said.
“This feels much more like a transaction-type attack, where data is moving about within the system.”
Britain’s government said authorities including the National Cyber Security Center and the National Crime Agency, part of the country’s police, were piecing together what happened.
“Specialist officers from the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit are managing the ongoing investigation and are on site working with BA to gain a better understanding of the incident,” the NCA said.
The country’s Information Commissioner’s Office said it had been alerted by BA and it was making enquiries. Under new GDPR data regulations companies must inform regulators of a cyberattack within 72 hours.
BA advised customers to contact their bank or credit card provider and follow their recommended advice. It also took out ads in national newspapers on Friday.
Cruz said anyone who lost out financially would be compensated by the airline.
Data security expert Trevor Reschke said that like any website which sees large volumes of card transactions, BA was a ripe target for hackers.
“It is now a race between British Airways and the criminal underground,” said Reschke, head of threat intelligence at Trusted Knight.
“One will be figuring out which cards have been compromised and alerting victims, whilst the other will be trying to abuse them while they are still fresh.”
NatWest, one of Britain’s biggest card issuers, said it was receiving higher-than-usual call volumes because of the breach.
It said in a recorded message that its security systems would likely stop any fraud as a result of the hack but anyone affected should look out for unusual activity on their accounts.
American Express said clients did not need to take any action and the company would alert anyone with unusual activity on their cards.
IAG said the data breach had been resolved and the website was working normally, and that no travel or passport details were stolen.
After the computer system failure in May 2017, BA said it would take steps to ensure such an incident never happened again, but in July it was forced to cancel and delay flights out of the same airport due to problems with a supplier’s IT systems.
BA apologizes after 380,000 customers hit in cyberattack
BA apologizes after 380,000 customers hit in cyberattack
- The airline discovered that bookings made between Aug. 21 and Sept. 5 have been infiltrated in a very sophisticated criminal attack
- The attack comes 15 months after the carrier suffered a massive computer system failure at London’s Heathrow airport
Vision 2030 propelling Saudi Arabia’s global reputation
- Bold initiatives are positioning the Kingdom as a regional trailblazer in sustainability
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, aimed at revolutionizing the Kingdom’s economic and social landscape, has propelled the nation’s global reputation on a large scale, experts told Arab News.
Launched in 2016, the program is a comprehensive guide to position Saudi Arabia as a powerhouse of business, tourism and non-oil activities, both regionally and globally.
Speaking to Arab News, Thomas Kuruvilla, managing partner of Arthur D. Little Middle East & India, said that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is the cornerstone of the Kingdom’s transformation driving diversification, investment in non-oil sectors, and reshaping its global reputation.
“Vision 2030 is not an end point but a launchpad. The foundations being laid today from renewable energy, automotive, and tourism to digital infrastructure and advanced industries are designed to endure and evolve well beyond 2030. The Kingdom’s leadership has already signaled that future frameworks will build on this momentum, ensuring that transformation continues into the decades ahead,” said Kuruvilla.
He added: “Vision 2030 has firmly established Saudi Arabia as a reforming nation on the world stage. Saudi Arabia is creating an economic and social model that looks past 2030, one that aims to deliver sustainable growth, global competitiveness, and opportunity for generations to come.”
Elie Farhat, chief of external affairs for Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business espoused similar views and said Saudi Arabia has actively courted foreign investment, tourism, and partnerships with global universities and businesses.
“Saudi Arabia has become a market and society that is perceived as both investable and engaging. International organizations are setting up regional headquarters in Riyadh, universities are establishing partnerships, and businesses now openly discuss Saudi Arabia as a gateway to the future of the Middle East,” said Farhat.
In October, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, while speaking at the Fortune Global Forum Conference in Riyadh, said the Vision 2030 program is progressing steadily, with 85 percent of the targets outlined in the initiative completed or on track by the end of 2024.
Al-Falih also added that the number of international firms licensed to establish their regional headquarters in Riyadh has reached 675.
The regional HQ program offers a 30-year corporate tax exemption, withholding tax relief, and regulatory support, reflecting efforts to position the Kingdom as a regional business hub and attract multinational corporations to the capital.
Some of the noted firms that have established regional bases in Riyadh include Northern Trust, IHG Hotels & Resorts, PwC, and Deloitte. Laura Hernandez Gonzalez, managing director of Globant for the Middle East and North Africa, said Vision 2030 has turned diversification from an aspiration into a reality, adding that programs like the regional HQ initiative and the transformation of Riyadh into a true financial hub are convincing multinationals to set up real operations, not just representative offices.
“From the technology side, the Kingdom’s commitment to AI, cloud, and sovereign digital infrastructure is equally important. It signals not only ambition, but the capacity to build future-ready capabilities at scale,” said Gonzalez.
She added: “This is how the Kingdom is changing global perceptions: from an energy powerhouse to a hub of innovation, capital and talent.”
Earlier in December, Rachid Boulaouine, Middle East and Saudi Arabia director at Business France, told Al-Eqtisadiah that French companies operating in Saudi Arabia are expected to increase by 30 percent to 40 percent as more small and medium-sized enterprises move to establish a presence in the Kingdom.
The changing global image
Kuruvilla said that Saudi Arabia’s pivot toward renewable energy and sustainability is not just symbolic, but it represents a decisive strategic shift in the Kingdom’s development model.
Bolstering renewable energy capacity is critical for Saudi Arabia as it aims to generate 130 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
Kuruvilla said that flagship projects such as Neom — a futuristic city designed to run entirely on renewable energy — and the world’s largest green hydrogen plant highlight Saudi Arabia’s determination to lead in climate innovation.
This is how the Kingdom is changing global perceptions: from an energy powerhouse to a hub of innovation, capital and talent.
Laura Hernandez Gonzalez, managing director of Globant for the Middle East and North Africa
“These initiatives are positioning the Kingdom as a regional trailblazer in sustainability and earning recognition as a nation “at the forefront of the clean-energy revolution,” with few global peers matching its scale and ambition,” said the Arthur D. Little official.
He added: “Such bold moves are strengthening Saudi Arabia’s standing among international partners that prioritize climate action, demonstrating alignment with global sustainability imperatives rather than resistance.”
According to Farhat, it is the young generation in Saudi Arabia guided by Vision who are playing a crucial role in elevating the Kingdom’s global reputation.
“Saudis — particularly younger generations — have opened up to the world with a readiness to learn, build, and lead for 2030. The world, in turn, has opened up to Saudi Arabia, seeing it as a dynamic partner to invest in,” said Farhat.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth
Gonzalez said that the global narrative about Saudi Arabia has shifted decisively, with international travelers increasingly considering the Kingdom as a favorite destination.
She added that the growth in tourism numbers is one of the clearest proof points that Vision 2030 is delivering, also indicating the Kingdom’s growing appeal among the international public.
“Ranking among the top three globally for growth in international tourist arrivals, surpassing 100 million visits in 2023, and contributing over 10 percent of the gross domestic product in 2025 are extraordinary achievements in such a short period,” said Gonzalez.
She added: “Today, when I speak with investors, partners, or peers, Saudi Arabia is framed around opportunity, innovation, and delivery.”
Kuruvilla said that the growth in tourism has signaled to the world that Saudi Arabia is no longer just an oil-rich nation, but a fast-emerging must-visit destination.
HIGHLIGHT
The regional HQ program offers a 30-year corporate tax exemption, withholding tax relief, and regulatory support, reflecting efforts to position the Kingdom as a regional business hub and attract multinational corporations to the capital.
The Arthur D. Little official added that media coverage has reinforced this narrative, with tourism and entertainment mentions up 60 percent in 2024, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing appeal to global travelers.
“International surveys echo this sentiment: a recent multi-country poll found 59 percent of respondents were interested in visiting Saudi Arabia — a figure unimaginable only a decade ago,” said Kuruvilla.
Saudi Arabia passed its 2030 target of 100 million visitors in 2023, and the following year it welcomed 115.9 million tourists.
Having already reached its goal, the Kingdom raised its target to 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
In November, the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority announced record growth in the Kingdom’s business events infrastructure, reporting a 32 percent year-on-year increase in capacity across 923 accredited venues.
The authority added that this expansion reflects significant investment aligned with Vision 2030’s tourism and event sector priorities, driving a 320 percent increase in exhibition space since 2018 to a total of 300,520 sq. meters.
Sports and technology
According to Kuruvilla, Saudi Arabia is cultivating an image as a global hub for business, technology, and innovation by hosting high-profile international events like the Future Investment Initiative, the LEAP tech conference, and the World Defense Show.
He said that these events draw thousands of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to the Kingdom, showcasing opportunities beyond oil.
“The cumulative effect of these marquee gatherings and the establishment of such innovation-driving entities is a narrative that Saudi Arabia is open for business and eager to lead in future industries – a notable departure from its old image of insularity,” said Kuruvilla.
He added: “These gatherings are translating into tangible partnerships and long-term investment opportunities, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a hub for innovation and global business exchange.”
According to Gonzalez, events like FII and LEAP in Saudi Arabia prove the Kingdom’s execution capacity, as well as showing the nation’s capability to “convene the world, compress partnership cycles, and set the agenda on innovation, defense, and finance.”
Highlighting the importance of sporting events, Kuruvilla told Arab News that sports have become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s effort to bolster its global reputation.
“From hosting Formula 1 races and high-profile boxing matches to purchasing stakes in English Premier League football clubs, the Kingdom has invested heavily in sports as an avenue for soft power. The pinnacle of this strategy is Saudi Arabia securing the rights to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — a coup that instantly thrusts the country into the international spotlight,” said Kuruvilla.
Adding to this momentum, Saudi Arabia has also positioned itself at the forefront of digital sports by hosting the Esports World Cup in Riyadh in 2024 and 2025, with record-breaking prize pools and participation from the world’s top gaming titles.
“By associating with beloved sports and athletes, Saudi Arabia is effectively rebranding itself, especially to younger global audiences, as a vibrant and welcoming destination. Superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Saudi clubs – and posting about life in the Kingdom – further humanize Saudi Arabia’s image abroad,” added the Arthur D. Little official.
