Birmingham International Airport's security has again thrust into the spotlight after a passenger boarded an international flight carrying a seven-inch knife.

Holidaymaker Nick White said he managed to evade three separate searches as he carried the knife on to a plane in his pocket. The 45-year-old joiner then took pictures of himself holding the weapon on the flight to Fuerteventura.

The latest revelation came as the security firm at the centre of a series of security lapses at BIA said it had suspended 16 employees and brought in a new programme of drug testing for all staff - the first of its kind in Europe.

The action by ICTS UK followed an ITV documentary showing staff reading magazines, doing puzzles and even sleeping instead of examining the luggage of passengers checking in for flights to the US.

One ICTS employee even boasted about landing his job despite having criminal convictions for grievous bodily harm and drink driving.

On Monday The Birmingham Post revealed how, in another incident, a parked passenger jet was broken into.

Last night Mr White, from Derbyshire, said he decided to go public because of the recent concerns over BIA.

"I couldn't believe it when we saw my photos - I am absolutely stunned that this could happen at Birmingham Airport.

"I was there on May 16 for a holiday to the Canary Islands. We were just going up to the metal detector when I realised I had the knife with me.

"It struck me that it would probably be confiscated and I really didn't want to lose it because it was a 40th birthday present.

"I took it out of my pocket with my change and placed it on the tray by the side of the detector in plain view of the security officers.

"No one challenged me as I picked it up and just put it back in my pocket."

Mr White said he was then patted down by another officer and searched again in a random spot check just before entering the departure lounge, but remained unchallenged.

"I decided to buy a disposable camera having gone all the way into the lounge," he said.

"At first it was a bit of a joke, but then we realised how serious it was. I think it would have been very easy for a terrorist to take control of the plane. When we took off, the pilot's cabin was open long enough for someone to get in there. It could have been a very dangerous situation."

A BIA spokeswoman condemned Mr White's actions. She said: "As part of a complex security process, every year millions of items of clothing and personal effects are scanned, searched and examined as passengers pass through the airport.

"Birmingham Airport has state-of-art security systems similar to those at other major UK airports.

"We employ a multi-layered approach; no one process is absolutely critical. That's why, even once passengers board an aircraft, there are further measures to limit activities of passengers and in particular to prevent an unauthorised person reaching the flight deck.

"BIA has been provided with photographic evidence that a Mr White knowingly boarded an aircraft with a small knife.

"Both the Airport Company and the airline involved are concerned that the incident could have caused considerable distress to passengers, and could have placed Mr White, who foolishly posed for photographs on the aircraft, in a life-threatening situation."

Meanwhile, ICTS said its suspended workers would face disciplinary actions with "dismissal a potential outcome" and more experienced staff had been drafted in to Birmingham.

"ICTS's station manager at Birmingham International Airport has been replaced and we have further strengthened the workforce there by bringing in 30 staff from other airports where we operate," it said in a statement.

"These staff are highly experienced supervisors, trainers, auditors and agents.

"A new drug and alcohol testing programme for all ICTS employees at Birmingham International Airport has been implemented. The programme will be implemented at all UK stations and at ICTS stations throughout Europe."

After watching the ITV programme on Monday, one US Congress security expert called for flights from the airport to the US to be grounded.