Why implementing DMARC is essential for Aviation

If you’re in aviation and not yet at DMARC enforcement (p=reject), you’re behind. Cyberattacks on airlines, airports, and aerospace companies are up 131% in just one year. Phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams are hammering the industry, costing millions, causing chaos, and damaging customer trust. Attackers aren’t just targeting your customers; they’re using your brand to do it. 

Fake ticket invoices, incorrect flight updates, and CEO impersonation emails are landing in inboxes every day, often sent from domains that look exactly like yours. The reality is that if you don’t have DMARC at full enforcement (p=reject), you’re leaving the door wide open for bad actors.

Real money, real reputational damage

Without DMARC, your domain is a weapon for attackers. In one infamous case, an aerospace supplier lost €42 million after a fake CEO email convinced staff to wire funds. In the U.S., phishing attacks have taken down airport websites and breached airline employee mailboxes, exposing personal data. And now, with SubdoMailing, attackers don’t even need to hack your main domain—they hijack unused subdomains to send millions of scam emails that pass right through weak DMARC setups. 

Every time a customer or partner gets a fake email from “your” domain, your reputation takes a hit. In aviation, trust is everything. Passengers need to know that emails about their bookings and safety are real. If they can’t trust your messages, they’ll think twice about flying with you.

DMARC: Your first line of defense

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is the industry standard for stopping email impersonation. It works by verifying every email that claims to come from your domain. If it’s not legit, it gets blocked—simple as that. But here’s the catch: monitoring-only (p=none) or even quarantine (p=quarantine) policies aren’t enough. Only full enforcement (p=reject) stops fraudulent emails from ever reaching the inbox. This is the level of protection you need to stop phishing and BEC attacks at the source.

Check your DMARC record for free!

Not sure what your current DMARC status is? Use our free Red Sift Investigate tool and find out instantly.

DMARC isn’t just about blocking bad emails. It protects your customers, partners, and employees from scams. It keeps your brand off scam lists and preserves your reputation. It even helps your real emails, like boarding passes and flight updates, land in inboxes instead of spam folders. And with enforcement in place, you can unlock BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification), so your verified logo shows up in customer inboxes, boosting trust and engagement. See if you’re BIMI-ready today.

Reach DMARC enforcement with Red Sift

Getting to full DMARC enforcement doesn’t have to be complicated. Red Sift OnDMARC takes the pain out of the process. It automates DMARC report analysis, guides you step-by-step to p=reject through our dedicated Customer Success team, and gives you real-time, full-visibility insights into your email ecosystem. OnDMARC helps you lock down SPF, DKIM, and all those subdomains that attackers love to exploit. You get clear, actionable recommendations so you can fix issues fast and stay ahead of threats.

The bottom line: If you’re in aviation and you’re not at DMARC enforcement, you’re behind. Attackers are moving fast, and the cost of inaction is too high. Make DMARC a priority, protect your brand, and keep your customers safe. Red Sift OnDMARC is ready to help you get there, quickly, confidently, and without the headache. Don’t wait for a crisis. Take control of your email security today and take advantage of our free trial

PUBLISHED BY

Jack Lilley

10 Jun. 2025

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