Calgary – Canadian airline WestJet has confirmed that a cybersecurity breach has led to the exposure of some passenger data, raising concerns over privacy and data protection in the country’s aviation sector.
The airline said the breach was discovered earlier this week during routine security monitoring, which detected unauthorized access to parts of its internal systems. While WestJet did not specify the exact number of affected passengers, officials confirmed that personal information such as names, contact details, and travel itineraries may have been accessed.
In a statement, the company assured customers that no financial information, such as credit card numbers or banking details, appears to have been compromised. “We take this incident very seriously and have already implemented enhanced security measures to prevent further unauthorized access,” WestJet said.
The airline has launched a full investigation with the help of cybersecurity experts and is working closely with Canadian authorities, including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Impacted passengers are being notified directly and offered credit monitoring and identity protection services.
WestJet did not disclose who was behind the breach but said there is no evidence so far to suggest that the incident was part of a ransomware attack. However, cybersecurity analysts warn that even partial exposure of personal data can make passengers vulnerable to phishing scams, identity theft, and other cybercrimes.
The breach comes at a time when airlines globally are facing growing cybersecurity threats, with hackers increasingly targeting transportation networks that rely heavily on digital infrastructure. Industry experts say that aviation companies, which store vast amounts of sensitive customer data, are particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Canadian officials have urged WestJet to be fully transparent and ensure that affected passengers receive proper support. “Cybersecurity is not optional anymore — it’s essential,” said one government spokesperson.
For WestJet, the breach is a serious blow to customer trust, even as it moves quickly to contain the damage. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the incident and identify the vulnerabilities that were exploited.