Table of Contents

• What Is Passenger Data and Why Is It Collected?
• The Journey of Your Data: From Booking to Boarding
• How Airlines Store Passenger Data
• How Airlines Secure Your Data
• The Role of Third Parties: GDS, Vendors, and Partners
• How and Why Data Leaks Happen
• Real-World Breaches: Lessons from Air India, SpiceJet, and More
• Laws and Regulations: Who Holds Airlines Accountable?
• What You Can Do to Protect Your Data
• The Future: Biometrics, Blockchain, and Privacy
• Passenger Data Lifecycle: A Visual Summary
• Conclusion

What Is Passenger Data and Why Is It Collected?

Passenger data is everything an airline needs to get you from A to B safely and legally. It includes:

• Personal Info: Full name, date of birth, gender, nationality
• Contact Details: Phone, email, emergency contact
• Travel Documents: Passport, visa, Aadhaar (in India), frequent flyer number
• Payment Info: Credit card number, expiry, billing address
• Travel Preferences: Seat choice, meal type, special assistance
• Flight History: Past trips, delays, no-shows

Why collect it? For safety, security, and service. Governments require passport data for immigration. Airports need it for check-in. You want your vegetarian meal. Airlines use it to predict demand and offer upgrades. But the more data, the bigger the risk if lost.

The Journey of Your Data: From Booking to Boarding

Your data travels far before you do. Here is the path:

• Step 1: Booking You enter details on the airline app or website. Data is encrypted and sent to the airline’s servers.
• Step 2: GDS Processing Most airlines use Global Distribution Systems (GDS) like Amadeus, Sabre, or Travelport to manage bookings. Your data is copied there.
• Step 3: Airport Systems Check-in, baggage, and boarding systems pull your data from GDS or airline databases.
• Step 4: Government Sharing Immigration (India’s FRRO), customs, and security get your Advance Passenger Information (API) 48 hours before flight.
• Step 5: Partners Hotels, car rentals, and loyalty partners may receive parts of your data.
• Step 6: Archiving After the trip, data is stored for 1 to 7 years for legal, audit, or marketing purposes.

At each step, your data is copied, shared, and stored. More copies mean more risk.

How Airlines Store Passenger Data

Airlines do not keep your data on a single computer. They use:

• Cloud Storage: AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud in data centers worldwide. Fast, scalable, but shared with others.
• On-Premise Servers: Physical machines in secure rooms at headquarters. Slower, but more control.
• GDS Databases: Centralized systems holding data for thousands of flights daily.
• Passenger Name Record (PNR): A unique code linking all your trip data in one file.
• Backup Systems: Offline or air-gapped copies in case of ransomware or failure.

In India, Air India uses a mix of cloud and on-premise. IndiGo relies heavily on Amadeus. Data is split: payment info in one place, passport in another, to limit damage if breached.

How Airlines Secure Your Data

Good airlines follow strict security practices:

• Encryption: Data is scrambled in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256). Only authorized systems can unscramble it.
• Access Control: Only staff who need data (like check-in agents) can see it. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) required.
• Firewalls and WAFs: Block malicious traffic to booking sites.
• Tokenization: Credit card numbers replaced with random codes. Real card stored only by payment gateways.
• Regular Audits: Third-party firms test systems yearly for vulnerabilities.
• Employee Training: Phishing drills to avoid clicking bad links.

Top airlines like Singapore Airlines and Emirates score high on security. Budget carriers sometimes lag due to cost pressures.

The Role of Third Parties: GDS, Vendors, and Partners

No airline works alone. Your data flows through:

• GDS (Amadeus, Sabre): Handle 70 percent of global bookings. One breach affects dozens of airlines.
• Payment Gateways: Razorpay, Stripe, or PayU store card details.
• Ground Handlers: Baggage and catering firms access PNRs.
• Loyalty Partners: Hotels and credit cards get your name and miles.
• Cloud Providers: AWS or Google host the data.

The 2021 Air India breach happened at SITA, a GDS-like vendor. One weak link compromises the chain.

How and Why Data Leaks Happen

Leaks occur due to:

• Human Error: Staff email PNRs to personal accounts.
• Phishing: Employee clicks fake “system update” link, installing malware.
• Unpatched Software: Old systems with known flaws exploited.
• Insider Threats: Rogue employee sells data on dark web.
• Supply Chain Attacks: Hacker breaches a small vendor with admin access.
• Misconfigured Servers: Publicly accessible databases left open by mistake.

In 2023, a misconfigured server at a U.S. airline exposed 1 million boarding passes for 30 days.

Real-World Breaches: Lessons from Air India, SpiceJet, and More

True stories reveal the stakes:

• Air India (2021): SITA breach exposed 4.5 million passengers’ passports, cards, and names. Took 3 months to notify.
• SpiceJet (2022): Ransomware attempt delayed flights; no data leaked, but systems frozen.
• Cathay Pacific (2018): 9.4 million affected; fine of £500,000 under GDPR.
• British Airways (2018): 400,000 card details stolen; £20 million GDPR fine.
• EasyJet (2020): 9 million emails and 2,200 cards leaked; £unknown fine pending.

Lesson: Even big names fail. Transparency and speed matter.

Laws and Regulations: Who Holds Airlines Accountable?

Data protection laws are tightening:

• India DPDP Act 2023: 72-hour breach notification, fines up to Rs. 250 crore.
• GDPR (EU): Affects any airline flying to Europe. Fines up to 4 percent of global revenue.
• PCI DSS: Mandatory for card data. Non-compliance means losing card processing rights.
• TRAI Guidelines: Secure eKYC and limit data retention.

In India, CERT-In coordinates breach response. Airlines must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).

What You Can Do to Protect Your Data

You are not powerless. Take these steps:

• Use virtual credit cards for bookings
• Avoid saving card details on airline apps
• Book directly on airline websites, not third-party agents
• Enable 2FA on frequent flyer accounts
• Monitor bank statements after travel
• Opt out of marketing emails to reduce data sharing
• Use privacy-focused browsers and VPNs on public Wi-Fi

The Future: Biometrics, Blockchain, and Privacy

Tomorrow’s travel will change data handling:

• Biometrics: Face or fingerprint instead of passports. Faster, but raises privacy concerns.
• Blockchain: Decentralized PNRs. You control who sees your data.
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Prove you are over 18 without sharing DOB.
• AI Privacy: Auto-delete old data, detect leaks in real time.

India’s Digi Yatra uses facial recognition with data deleted after 24 hours. A step forward, but trust is key.

Passenger Data Lifecycle: A Visual Summary

Conclusion

Your passenger data is the fuel that powers modern air travel. From booking to boarding, it flows through airlines, GDS, airports, and governments, stored in clouds and servers, protected by encryption and access controls. When done right, it is safe. When done wrong, it leaks, as seen in Air India, Cathay, and others. The risks are real: phishing, misconfiguration, insiders, and supply chain flaws. But so are the solutions: tokenization, audits, training, and laws like DPDP and GDPR. The future brings biometrics and blockchain, promising more control. As a passenger, you can help by using virtual cards, enabling 2FA, and staying alert. Airlines must do their part with transparency and speed. Because in the end, your data is your identity. And in the skies, trust is the only currency that matters. Fly safe. Stay secure.

What is a PNR?

Passenger Name Record: a unique code linking all your booking data.

Where is my data stored?

In airline servers, GDS systems, and cloud providers like AWS.

Is my passport number encrypted?

Yes, in transit and at rest, if the airline follows standards.

Who sees my credit card?

Only the payment gateway. Airlines store a token, not the full number.

How long is data kept?

1 to 7 years for legal and audit purposes, then deleted or anonymized.

Can staff see my data?

Only those who need it, like check-in agents, with role-based access.

Was Air India’s breach due to hacking?

Yes. Hackers hit vendor SITA’s servers, not Air India directly.

Do budget airlines have weaker security?

Often yes, due to cost-cutting, but all must meet PCI and legal standards.

Is Digi Yatra safe?

Yes. Facial data is deleted after 24 hours and not shared with airlines.

Can I delete my data?

Yes, under DPDP Act. Contact the airline’s DPO to request erasure.

Why share data with immigration?

Required by law for security and border control (API/PNR directives).

Is public Wi-Fi at airports safe?

No. Use VPN or mobile data to avoid data theft.

Do airlines sell my data?

No, but they share with partners for marketing if you opt in.

What is tokenization?

Replacing card numbers with random codes. Safer than storing real cards.

Can I fly without giving data?

No. Passport and contact info are mandatory for safety and law.

Are international flights riskier?

Yes. Data crosses more systems and jurisdictions.

Will biometrics replace passports?

Eventually. India’s Digi Yatra is a start, with privacy safeguards.

What happens if data leaks?

Identity theft, fraud, spam. Monitor accounts and freeze credit if needed.

Who audits airline security?

Third-party firms, CERT-In, and regulators like DGCA and TRAI.

Is my data safe with IndiGo or Air India?

Both follow PCI DSS and DPDP. No system is 100 percent safe, but risks are managed.