Heathrow cyber attack shows need for different kind of coverage – GlobalData

The recent cyber attack on major European airports, including Heathrow, Dublin and Brussels, highlights need for parametric and preventive cyber insurance, according to GlobalData.

The incident, which was reported on 19 September 2025, led to dozens of cancellations, hundreds of delays and long queues as staff were forced to use handwritten tags and manual redeployments.

GlobalData said that incidents like this show the need for parametric and preventive cyber insurance, with nearly half of UK consumers open to purchasing a travel insurance policy that pays out automatically.

GlobalData’s 2024 UK insurance consumer survey indicates that 45.7% of UK consumers would be willing to pay more for a travel policy that pays out automatically.

Specifically, 24.7% of respondents would accept a premium increase of up to 5%, while 14.1% would pay up to 10% more. In contrast, 37.5% said they would not be willing to pay extra and 16.8% were unsure.

The survey was carried out in Q4 2024, with respondents recruited via an online panel. The survey featured a panel of consumers aged 18 and over, with 4,016 respondents.

Charlie Hutcherson, insurance analyst at GlobalData, said: “Parametric travel insurance has the potential to transform the customer experience by removing the complexity of claims processes and providing near-instant payouts when disruption occurs. At the same time, cyber insurance is no longer just about financial compensation, it is increasingly about helping businesses anticipate, prevent and respond to attacks.

”Together, these products address two of the most pressing risks facing both consumers and businesses and insurers must act quickly to build awareness and adoption if they want to remain competitive.”

Growing threat

GlobalData also said the incident highlights the growing threat of cyber attacks across industries.

Its 2025 UK commercial insurance broker survey found that 53.6% of brokers cited cyber insurance as the new or emerging product with the greatest growth potential, “reflecting increasing demand from businesses seeking to safeguard against operational and financial disruption”.

Hutcherson said: “As flight disruption and cyber threats become more frequent, insurers that can effectively market parametric and cyber coverage will be best placed to retain customers and capture growth opportunities.

”The events underline the urgency of delivering solutions that are both protective and proactive.”