Fraud in the airline industry is retreating, but it hasn’t exactly retired. New data from Accertify, Inc., one of the heavyweights in fraud prevention and digital identity solutions, shows that while fraud attempts have dipped significantly in 2025, the battle is far from over.
Globally, fraud rates across airlines dropped by 30% year-on-year, translating to one fraud attempt in every 400 bookings. Europe stood out as the model pupil, slicing its fraud “pressure” by a staggering 50% compared with last year. Yet, as Accertify points out, fraudsters are nothing if not resourceful, and where one door slams shut, another boarding gate is quietly tested.
Europe: The Star Performer
According to Accertify’s analysis of millions of airline transactions, Europe’s decline was the most dramatic, halving its fraud pressure compared to 2024. Routes once rife with dodgy bookings now account for just 12% of attempted fraud worldwide, down from 24% a year earlier.
Among the airports basking in this good news are Poland’s Kraków John Paul II International, the UK’s Bristol Airport, and Italy’s Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, all recording some of the lowest fraud attempt rates on the continent. Naples-Capodichino International in Italy deserves a medal too, boasting a 57% reduction, while Basel’s EuroAirport chipped in with nearly 50% fewer attempts.
But Europe wasn’t immune to turbulence. London Heathrow remains a prime target, and Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport continues to feature high on fraudsters’ itineraries. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Athens International also appeared on the riskier side of the ledger — proof that no hub can afford to relax its guard.
The United States: Big Wins and Surprising Spikes
The United States fared almost as well, cutting fraud rates by 38%, or about one fraud attempt in every 556 bookings. Airports such as Dallas Love Field (-69%), San Diego International (-68%), and Chicago Midway (-67%) led the charge with impressive drops.
But while some airports celebrated, others found themselves under siege. Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International saw fraud pressure surge a jaw-dropping 175%, and Seattle-Tacoma wasn’t far behind, up 40%. Despite a year-on-year decline, Miami International wore the crown of the riskiest major U.S. airport.
Asia Pacific: A Mixed Bag for 2025
The Asia Pacific region painted a less rosy picture. Overall fraud pressure fell by a modest 6%, but Australia found itself on the wrong side of the curve. Departures from Australian airports recorded a 21.4% increase in attempted fraud.
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport offered a rare bright spot, slashing fraud attempts by 72%. Departures from Singapore and Tokyo also notched up 27% reductions. On the other hand, the Pacific saw sharp spikes: Auckland Airport (+50%), Cairns (+230%), and Perth (+136%) all surged into the red. Kuala Lumpur International (+114%) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (+47%) also joined the growing list of problem airports.
Fraudsters Adapt, Airlines Respond
“While we’re seeing positive trends in fraud reduction across many regions, our data shows that fraudsters are highly adaptive and constantly evolving their tactics,” said Mark Michelon, President of Accertify. “Even as overall fraud pressure decreases, they’re testing for new vulnerabilities and shifting their focus to exploit specific routes and gaps in security. This makes robust fraud detection more critical than ever.”
Accertify is well placed to issue such warnings. The company protects eight of the world’s ten largest airlines by revenue, wielding a mix of advanced analytics, machine learning, and an expansive fraud intelligence network. That toolkit enables airlines to counter shifting threats, protect revenue, and ensure legitimate passengers aren’t caught up in the crossfire.
The Bigger Picture
The aviation industry has always attracted fraudsters like moths to a runway light. For them, a stolen credit card is as good as a golden ticket. But the good news is clear: the odds are narrowing. The days when Europe carried a quarter of the world’s fraud attempts are history, and the United States is tightening its grip on fraudsters at several major hubs.
Asia Pacific, however, remains a region to watch closely. Australia’s spike suggests that fraud rings may shift southwards, probing for softer spots in security frameworks. Airlines across the area must lean heavily on partners like Accertify to stay ahead of the game.
Final Boarding Call
The fight against airline fraud has entered a new phase. While Europe leads with its 50% reduction and the United States demonstrates solid gains, the story is far from over. Asia Pacific’s patchy results are a cautionary reminder that vigilance is everything.
For travellers, the message is simple: airlines and their security partners are hard at work safeguarding your bookings. The message is even simpler for fraudsters: your flight plan is being rewritten, and the odds are no longer in your favour.
