A major security breach at Birmingham Airport, which could have led to a complete operational shutdown, was caused by a contractor who forged dozens of training certificates to cover up his own failings.
The Forged Documents and Failed Cover-Up
Shoaib Iqbal, a 40-year-old from Saltley, was a certified training instructor working for Mitie, the sub-contractor responsible for airport security. His role involved ensuring staff received essential refresher training every 13 months, a highly regulated requirement for personnel guarding the airfield and controlling access.
In December 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) received a whistleblowing report alleging staff had not completed this vital training. When audits began the following month, they revealed incomplete records. Initially, Iqbal claimed he had merely been "lazy with admin" and had not filed the paperwork, pointing to a bundle of documents on his desk.
His story quickly unravelled. Days later, he told a Mitie manager the missing paperwork was due to a printing delay. This contradiction raised serious concerns. A deeper audit then exposed discrepancies in handwriting on the training certificates.
Catastrophic Consequences for Airport Security
Confronted with the evidence, Iqbal appeared panicked and could offer no explanation. Two Mitie workers shown the records confirmed the handwriting was not theirs and stated they did not recall attending the training.
Prosecutor Alison Slater told Birmingham Crown Court the compliance officer investigating became "very concerned," stating the breach "could have catastrophic consequences." The court heard the integrity of the entire security system was compromised, risking a scenario where the airport could not "safely function and the whole operation could be shut down."
Iqbal had forged a total of 85 documents for 38 employees, all of whom worked guarding the airfield, including eight supervisors. The training modules they missed covered critical areas like threats to aviation, patrolling, searching people and baggage, and identifying prohibited items.
Suspended Sentence for "Abuse of Trust"
Iqbal resigned in February 2023 after being informed he was under criminal investigation. He later admitted to making a false instrument with intent. Ben Brown, defending, said Iqbal had become "overloaded" with work, also training staff at airports in London, Belfast, and Cardiff. He argued his client had dug a "deep hole" to cover his tracks and showed a clear failure in "consequential thinking."
Recorder Kevin Hegarty KC, passing sentence, stated Iqbal had abused his position of trust. On Friday, November 28, 2025, Iqbal was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term. He was also ordered to complete ten days of rehabilitation activity, 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £750 in court costs.
The court acknowledged no specific harm was identified and there was no motive for personal gain, with the prosecutor stating the actions were "more about covering up ineptitude." However, the primary victim was deemed to be the integrity of the airport's essential security framework.
