Cybersecurity giants and the FBI warn that the notorious hacking group is now targeting the aviation sector with advanced social engineering tactics, raising alarms during peak travel season.

Qantas shares dropped 3.6 per cent after it revealed the hack on Wednesday. The airline is the latest Australian company to be affected by a cyber attack, with telecoms company Optus, healthcare provider Medibank Private, a number of Australian pension funds and port operator DP World all hit in the past three years.