A cyber attack reportedly targeted tens of thousands of British Airways frequent-flyer accounts. According to the airline, no personal data was stolen. The affected accounts were frozen until British Airways resolves the issue. In other words, the flyers may not be able to use their points thus far.

According to the announcement from the airline, the hackers obtained access only to a small proportion of the database. BA also emphasized that no names, addresses, bank details or other personal data leaked. The company brought its apologies to the flyers and promised to have the system back up and running in a matter of hours.

Security experts were not able to say who was behind the attack, but it seems to have been carried out by an automated program searching for vulnerabilities in the company’s online security systems.

A representative of the company confirmed they have become aware of the illegal activity in relation to a small part of the frequent-flyer accounts. Apparently, the leak took place in result of a third party using data obtained elsewhere on the worldwide web, via an automated process, in the attempt to gain access to the accounts. However, the company points out that thus far nothing indicated that the customers should worry of any access to any subsequent information pages within accounts, including travel histories and payment-card details.

British Airways apologized for the concern and inconvenience the hacker attack had caused and reassured its frequent flyers that it is taking the issue very seriously. The company revealed that it has already taken a number of steps to freeze the affected accounts to prevent them from any further access by the hackers.