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For decades, travelling by air has been lauded as the safest mode of transportation. With rigorous safety protocols, highly trained personnel, and continuous technological advancements, commercial aviation has long inspired confidence. However, as we look towards the future, emerging risks and evolving threats like cybersecurity and extreme weather conditions raise a pressing question –– Is it still safe to travel by plane?
Cybersecurity: A New Frontier of Risk
As modern aircraft evolve into highly connected digital ecosystems — linking everything from in-flight entertainment to critical cockpit systems—the threat landscape has expanded. Experts in the field caution that cyberattacks targeting airline networks or onboard systems could introduce safety risks never encountered in aviation.
According to the New Straits Times, a cyberattack in March 2025 targeted specific computer systems at Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), including those at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). While airport operations were not disrupted, the incident raised serious concerns about aviation cybersecurity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the attackers demanded a US$10 million ransom (estimated S$13 million), underscoring the growing severity and boldness of cyber threats facing critical infrastructure.
Allianz Highlights Cyber Risk as Top Threat to Aviation in 2025
An article by Allianz Commercial listed out the top five risks for the aviation sector in 2025, with the most concerning risk being Cyber incidents.
“As the aviation industry continues its digital transformation journey, through the further integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and a significant transition to cloud infrastructure, maintaining robust cyber security while continuing to innovate remains a critical challenge. It is therefore no wonder that cyber risk is at the forefront of the aviation industry’s concerns for 2025.”
Climate Change: Weathering the Storm
From intensified turbulence to heatwaves disrupting aircraft performance, climate change is presenting fresh operational challenges. Coastal airports are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, while more volatile weather patterns are making flight planning less predictable. What was once seen as a distant environmental issue is now a direct risk to aviation safety and efficiency.
A study by scientists at Newcastle University revealed that hundreds of airports around the world are at risk of severe flooding due to rising sea levels driven by global warming.
The research indicated that even a 2°C rise in global temperatures — the threshold set by the Paris Climate Agreement — could result in numerous coastal airports falling below mean sea level, with many more exposed to frequent and severe flooding.
The researchers warned that without proactive adaptation measures, such as enhancing flood defences, elevating airport infrastructure, or in some cases even relocating entirely, these vital transport hubs could face increasing operational and safety challenges in the years ahead.
Allianz’s Perspective: Emerging Risks and Market Shifts in Aviation
As risks evolve, so does the outlook of the insurance industry. While climate change and cyber threats are increasingly in focus, insurers caution that these exposures are complex, interconnected, and still developing.
Adam Tozzi, a qualified lawyer and product development specialist in aviation at Allianz Commercial, shared his insights on the climate-related challenges facing the sector. He noted that while there has not yet been a statistically significant rise in claims specifically linked to extreme weather or climate-related incidents, Allianz is closely monitoring accumulation risks. As more airports become exposed to flooding and unpredictable weather, these climate-related factors are expected to play a larger role in aviation insurance underwriting moving forward.
When asked whether recent cyber or climate-related incidents are affecting risk assessments, Adam explains that individual underwriters assign different weight to various factors. He also notes that aviation insurance generally excludes business interruption and property damage — aside from damage to aircraft — highlighting potential coverage gaps should systemic cyber or climate risks escalate.
Looking to the next 5 to 10 years, Adam point to global supply chain pressures, rising aircraft fleet age, and shortages of spare parts as significant emerging factors. These issues are expected to inflate claim values and affect the availability and cost of coverage.
“The continued pressure on supply chains, likely significantly worsened by the application of tariffs to global trade, will have a real impact on the Aviation industry and therefore Aviation insurers.”
The Verdict
Air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, but it is no longer without significant challenges. The nature of aviation is shifting from mechanical failures to more complex, systemic issues like cyber threats, climate-related events, and human-resource vulnerabilities. For risk managers, insurers, and airline operators alike, the task is not only to navigate these emerging risks, but also to uphold the confidence of the travelling public.
