In 2025, international flights became not only a matter of logistics and visas but also a serious check for restrictions in law enforcement databases. An arrest warrant, which could once be attempted to “bypass” by choosing a route, is increasingly becoming an insurmountable barrier today. New technologies, global cooperation, and enhanced security measures at airports make the detection of such warrants almost inevitable.
Arrest warrant: who issues it and why
An arrest warrant is an official order issued by a court or prosecutor for the detention of a person suspected or accused of committing a crime. Within one country, it can only operate at the national level. However, if it concerns serious charges—murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or cybercrimes—the state may submit it to international databases.
The most well-known mechanism is Interpol notifications. They come in different colors, and it is the Red Notice that most often signifies an international search. Such notifications act as a signal for all member countries: if the wanted person appears at a border or airport, they must be detained and the initiating state must be notified. More details about how different types of notifications work can be read in the material about Interpol notices.
It is important to understand: even if an order is “old” or, as it seems to a person, irrelevant, it can be activated at any moment. An order can exist in the Interpol database for years until a person decides to board a plane and gets into the verification system.
ALT: Arrest warrant
Flights are banned: what is checked at the airport
Today, checks at airports are not limited to passport control. When a passenger buys a ticket, their name and date of birth are immediately entered into the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). In some countries, such data is analyzed even before departure to determine whether there are any restrictions or active warrants.
When crossing the border, the system connects to the databases of the national police, Interpol, and allied states — for example, within the EU or between the USA and Canada. Modern technologies allow verifying not only passport data but also biometrics: fingerprints and facial images.
If a match is found, different scenarios are possible. A person may be denied boarding right at the check-in counter. In more serious cases, they are detained directly at the boarding gate and handed over to the police. It also happens that the passenger is allowed to fly, but upon arrival, they are met by law enforcement authorities of the destination country. That is why the topic of arrest warrant air travel today it has become especially relevant: an arrest warrant directly affects the ability to use air travel.
Cases of 2025: passengers who did not fly due to an order
Examples from 2025 confirm: the risks are real.
In the spring, at Frankfurt Airport, a citizen of Eastern Europe was detained during a transit flight to Latin America. The system detected a red notice from Interpol regarding a fraud case amounting to more than 10 million euros. He did not plan to stay in Germany, but transit through the Schengen zone became fatal for him.
In July, a similar story happened in Dubai. A businessman from Asia tried to fly to Singapore, but during passport control, it was revealed that there was a national warrant for corruption against him. As a result, he spent several weeks in an Emirati prison while the authorities decided whether to extradite him.
These cases show: it doesn’t matter whether you are flying direct or with a layover — the risk is the same. Transit through a country where cooperation with Interpol is in effect may result in detention.
Risks and fines for travelers
The main risk is obvious: you can be detained right at the airport. But that’s just the beginning. Then extradition procedures come into effect, which depend on where exactly the detention occurred. If the country where you were stopped has an extradition agreement with the state that issued the warrant, the process can develop rapidly.
In addition to imprisonment, there are other consequences. Financial: loss of tickets, visas, hotel bookings. Reputational: information about the detention often ends up in the media or in the migration services database, which complicates future trips. In some countries, detention even without extradition can lead to deportation, and this automatically imposes a ban on entry for several years.
One should not forget about fines either. If a person tries to hide the existence of a warrant or use fake documents, the responsibility increases. In 2025, document verification and biometric technologies make such attempts practically useless.
How to protect yourself: advice from lawyers
The first step is to check if there is a warrant against you. Doing this on your own is difficult: Interpol’s databases are not fully open. However, a lawyer can submit an official request or use available verification mechanisms.
If the order exists, it is necessary to understand its status. One option is a national order, which is valid only within the country. Another is an international notice. In the latter case, flying without resolving the issue becomes almost impossible.
Lawyers advise: if you suspect that there is a warrant, it is better not to take risks and not board the plane. There are legal ways to resolve this: challenging the warrant, filing a complaint with the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF), negotiations with the prosecutor’s office. In some cases, it is possible to achieve a temporary suspension of the warrant or refusal to execute it on humanitarian grounds.
It is also important to remember: even with a warrant, a person has the right to defense. A lawyer can prove that extradition would violate the client’s rights — for example, if in the country requesting extradition, they face torture or the death penalty. Such arguments have already been accepted by courts in Europe and the Middle East.
Results and precautions
In 2025, traveling with a warrant became extremely dangerous. Modern systems make its detection almost inevitable, and cooperation between countries is growing.
To avoid problems:
- check your status in advance;
- do not ignore information about possible orders;
- Consult with lawyers on flight-related matters;
- Plan routes with an understanding of which countries cooperate more closely with Interpol.
Otherwise, the risk of being removed from the flight or detained directly at the airport remains very high. And if earlier many believed that it was possible to hide in areas with a low level of control, then in 2025 this myth has been completely debunked.
William Gall is a seasoned attorney specializing in civil litigation and family law. With a legal career spanning over two decades, William has built a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail and his unwavering commitment to justice. In addition to practicing law, he is a prolific writer, contributing regularly to various legal blogs where he shares his insights on current legal trends, case law, and best practices. His articles are well-regarded in the legal community for their thorough research and practical advice, making complex legal concepts accessible to both legal professionals and the general public.