Majority of UK travellers worry about airport data security

New research shows that nearly six in ten UK air travellers are concerned about the security of their personal data when using airports, according to a recent study conducted by Getronics.

The findings from the 2025 Travel Trust Barometer, which surveyed 2,000 UK air passengers, highlight an atmosphere of caution among the travelling public following a series of high-profile cyber-attacks targeting the UK. The report identifies a clear opportunity for airport leaders and technology teams to build trust by designing transparent and privacy-focused digital systems.

Passenger sentiment

According to the survey, 59% of participants agreed with the statement: "I am concerned about the security of my personal data when travelling." In contrast, 20% disagreed, while the remaining 21% were unsure, indicating that a substantial proportion of travellers might be receptive to improved communication and better privacy safeguards.

Andrew Madigan, Client Director at Getronics, commented on the findings. He said: "Travellers are telling us they want convenience, but not at the cost of control. While there is concern, there's also a clear path forward for airports that build transparent, reliable and consent-based systems."

The survey probed which personal data types were of most concern to travellers. Forty percent identified credit card details, followed by 30% citing passport information and 14% mentioning contact details as areas of particular anxiety.

Andrew Madigan added: "Unsurprisingly, financial data is seen by passengers as particularly high risk. This is an issue that affects all aviation industries and their partners, not just airports. It's a reminder that joined-up passenger experiences and robust cyber defences go hand in hand."

Attitudes to new technology

Despite widespread concerns, the research also highlighted areas of optimism in airport technology adoption. When asked about storing passport or biometric data, such as a fingerprint or facial scan, on their smartphones to speed up travel, 23% of respondents strongly agreed they would be happy to do so, and a further 43% said they were open to the idea.

Facial recognition was another area considered by the barometer. Seventy-six percent of passengers indicated they would be either very comfortable or fairly comfortable with its use as the primary method for verifying their personal security information at airports.

Rob Nidschelm, Global Head of Operational Security at Getronics, said: "The good news for airports is that this is not a rejection of technology. Travellers are open to greater use of technology in return for improved experience. However, our own threat intelligence continues to highlight a persistent rise in targeted attacks on aviation, particularly on passenger data systems, biometric platforms, and third-party integrations critical to airport operations. "This isn't theoretical: we've seen ransomware groups and state-linked actors specifically probing airport defences across Europe. "With the push to a digital paperless experience ever increase the sensitivity of the data increases its value to hacking groups. Trust in digital travel relies on trust in the security behind it, the aviation sector aviation sector must treat cybersecurity not as a compliance checkbox but as a continuous operational priority."

Behavioural shifts

The study suggests a shift in passenger behaviour, with digital boarding passes gaining popularity. Twenty-nine percent of respondents expressed a preference for a digital boarding pass, almost equal to the 28% who favoured printed versions, while 17% remained indifferent.

Andrew Madigan addressed the implications. He said: "This shows that passenger behaviour is changing, but systems must remain inclusive. Trust depends on giving people options rather than forcing them into unknown territory which could be too much, too soon."

The research was conducted by Censuswide with additional qualitative interviews, ensuring the sample reflected the experiences of UK travellers over the past year. The context of recent targeted attacks and the ongoing digital transformation within the aviation industry underline the need for secure, trustworthy systems that balance convenience with robust data protection.