BRITISH Airways is investigating a large scale data breach which has seen customers personal and financial details stolen.

The airline says it is addressing the breach as a matter of urgency and says the stolen data did not include travel or passport details.

The data relates to personal and financial details of customers making bookings on ba.com or on the airline's mobile app between 10.58pm on Tuesday, August 21 and 9.45pm on Wednesday, September 5.

The airline says the breach has now been resolved and that the website is working normally.

British Airways is communicating with affected customers and is advising any customers who believe they may have been affected by this incident to contact their banks or credit card providers and follow their recommended advice. 

The police and relevant authorities have also been notified.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ chairman and chief executive said: “We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused.

"We take the protection of our customers’ data very seriously.”