Hacking threatens airline safety: Aviation chiefs

MONTREAL - Cyber crime is a serious threat to safety in the skies, aviation industry heavyweights said Wednesday, vowing to fight the growing scourge before it causes a catastrophic incident.

Hackers, cyber criminals and other "terrorists" are stealing information but in a worst-case scenario could endanger lives by tampering with airline systems.

Among the five organisations getting together to take action against hacking are the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other bodies that signed a new cyber security agreement late last week, formalizing their front against cyber crime.

"Our common goal in developing this agreement is to work more effectively together to establish and promote a robust cyber security culture and strategy for the benefit of all actors in our industry," said Raymond Benjamin, secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He added: "As technologies rapidly evolve and become more readily accessible to all, cyber threats cannot be ignored.

"This is an important new area of aviation security concern and our global community will ensure that it is met with a strong level of commitment and response."