Challenging INAD Fines Caused by Document Flushers 

Why airlines must rethink how they manage the silent threat at border control. 

In the world of airline compliance, few issues are as frustrating - or costly - as INAD (Inadmissible Passenger) fines. Increasingly, these fines aren’t due to system failures or staff errors. They stem from passengers who deliberately discard their travel documents mid-journey.

These individuals - often called “document flushers” board with valid documents but arrive with none. They destroy or hide passports during the flight, making it nearly impossible for border officers to verify identity. As a result, airlines are left liable when an official says: “They arrived without a passport. You’re responsible.”

The Growing Problem 

INAD cases linked to missing documents are rising. They are no longer rare. While some airlines have managed to reduce overall INADs - thanks to better training and systems like TravelDoc - the rise in document discarders is a different challenge.

This problem is most common on high-risk routes - flights from conflict zones, unstable regions, or newly launched destinations. In many of these locations, ground staff lack the infrastructure or experience to handle complex compliance checks.

By the Numbers: 

• It is estimated that approximately 35% of INAD fines issued to European carriers in 2024 were attributed to passengers arriving without documents, despite having them at departure. (This does not include deportees, incorrect documented due to visas etc. or off-loaded passengers).  

• At key global transit hubs like Doha, Istanbul, and Frankfurt, up to 50% of INAD cases involve passengers who discarded or concealed their documents mid-flight. 

• Passenger profiles show that many of these incidents involve: 
  • Single adult males aged between 20-35
  • One-way itineraries 
  • No checked luggage 
  • Travel from high-risk or high-asylum-potential regions, including parts of East Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. 

We know that these individuals are often coached on how to exploit asylum systems upon arrival, knowing that destroying travel documents makes deportation or refusal of entry far more complex. 

The Impact on Airlines- Associated Costs & Responsibilities.  

The consequences go well beyond financial penalties: 

• Fines of €3,000–€5,000 per passenger, per incident 

• Operational disruption, often involving hours of interviews, paperwork, and custody decisions. 

• Airlines are responsible for covering all associated costs related to INADs. These expenses can include in some cases detention, accommodation, transportation, meals, security, medical escorts, translation services, the cost can grow very quickly over a matter of days and weeks.  

• Reputational damage with governmental and immigration authorities, who can quickly start to doubt an airline’s screening processes. 

• Most of all, no legal recourse - airlines can’t prove the passenger had valid documents at boarding unless they captured evidence. 

A Case for Smarter Accountability: 5 Strategic Solutions 

1. Digital Proof of Document at Departure 

Airlines must adhere to stringent protocols ensuring the capture and storage of timestamped evidence verifying the validity of passengers' documentation at the boarding gate. This process is crucial for compliance and security. Tools such as TravelDoc, which are integrated with advanced document image capture solutions, play a pivotal role in providing concrete proof of document verification. 

2. Data-Driven Passenger Screening 

Use predictive analytics and route risk modelling to identify potentially non-compliant travellers. Passengers meeting certain profiles - e.g., one-way ticket, no checked bags, conflict-zone origin - can be flagged for additional checks or pre-boarding interviews. 

3. Formal Reclassification of INADs: “Passenger-Failure Events” 

Lobbying via IATA and ICAO working groups and other influential associations available to the aviation sector, for a new INAD category with immigration authorities - Passenger-Failure INADs - where the airline is not at fault, provided it can show proof of compliance.  

5. Crew Powers and Onboard Spot Checks 

Educate cabin crew to recognise warning signs of document flushing: repeated bathroom visits, visible anxiety near descent, and peer coaching behaviour. Consider deploying random onboard checks on high-risk routes before descent. 

The Way Forward 

The aviation industry must shift from passive fine acceptance to active risk mitigation and evidence-based advocacy. Carriers should not be penalised for deliberate passenger deception that occurs after boarding. Immigration enforcement must distinguish between negligent boarding and intentional in-flight misconduct. 

With the right digital tools, smarter screening, and better collaboration with authorities, airlines can reduce INAD exposure and push back, fairly against unjust fines. 

Written by Jason Spencer, Commercial Director, ICTS Europe Systems