More than 8,000 Southwest Airlines and American Airlines pilot hopefuls are believed to be affected by the data breach. [Credit: Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
A data breach at third-party vendor Pilot Credentials exposed sensitive personal information for over 8,000 pilot applicants for Southwest and American Airlines.
Stolen data included names, passport and social security numbers, and pilot license numbers, with approximately 5,745 American and 3,009 Southwest applicants affected.
Applicants were not notified until nearly two months after the April 30 breach, leading to frustration from pilot organizations regarding the lack of transparency.
Both airlines have cut ties with Pilot Credentials, are now processing applications internally, and American Airlines is offering two years of identity theft protection to affected individuals.
Hackers gained access to more than 8,000 Southwest Airlines and American Airlines pilot applicants’ personal information following a security breach on April 30.
During the breach, details such as names, passport and social security numbers, and pilot license numbers were stolen from a Texas-based recruitment support company, Pilot Credentials.
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Amelia Walsh is a private pilot who enjoys flying her family’s Columbia 350. She is based in Colorado and loves all things outdoors including skiing, hiking, and camping.
