An investigation has been launched by civil aviation regulators in the United Kindom after it emerged that a third of specialist security screening staff at Birmingham Airpirt had not received the correct training and that training records may have been falsified.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) opened the probe following concerns that 40 out of 120 security staff who screen check-in luggage for bombs and other prohibited items had not received the correct refresher training.
Security contracting company Mitie has fired two managers in connection with the allegations, although one of the two managers who was terminated told the BBC that they had been made a ‘scapegoat’ for issues created by senior leaders.
Concerns about missed training who allegedly raised as long ago as May 2022, although it took until January 2023 for the CAA to carry out a raid at Mitie’s offices at Birmingham Airport to retrieve files and other potential evidence.
It’s alleged that middle managers falsified training records and helped employees complete crucial requalification exams that need to be taken every 13 months.
Following the raid, internal emails seen by the BBC show senior managers discussing how they will go about quickly retraining security staff over fears that security could be compromised at the airport.
Birmingham Airport says it called in CAA investigators after its own compliance monitoring uncovered concerns. The airport pointed out, however, that the Mitie-employed security agents were never responsible for screening passengers or staff.
Mitie says it has made all of its security agents complete the full five-day initial training programme again.
