A Canadian man accused of impersonating a pilot to obtain hundreds of free flights has been extradited from Panama to the United States. Dallas Pokornik, 33, was handed over to U.S. authorities on January 15 following his arrest at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport last December.
Federal prosecutors allege Pokornik deceived four major airlines over a four-year period, securing free travel through a well-practiced deception. His capture came after an international manhunt triggered by a warrant from a U.S. District Court in Hawaii.
International Arrest Follows Years of Alleged Deception
Court documents show the scheme operated from January 2020 through October 2024. Pokornik allegedly targeted airlines based in Honolulu, Chicago, Fort Worth, and Toronto. He previously worked as a flight attendant for the Canadian carrier between 2017 and 2019 but never held a pilot’s license. Authorities intercepted him on December 18, 2025, as he arrived in Panama on a commercial flight from Colombia. A global Interpol alert flagged his entry.
The criminal indictment charges Pokornik with using false identification to convince airline staff he was a commercial pilot. This ruse granted him access to industry benefits, including complimentary tickets and standby travel privileges typically reserved for aviation employees. He obtained at least 200 free tickets through this method, investigators said.
“The timely collaboration between Panamanian authorities and international entities was crucial for this capture,” a spokesperson for Panama’s National Police stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Pokornik now faces a single count of electronic fraud. If convicted, he could receive a maximum prison sentence of twenty years. He pleaded not guilty during an initial hearing in Honolulu.
High-Profile Extradition and Release on Bail
The formal extradition process concluded swiftly after his December arrest. U.S. officials had formally requested his custody since October 2, 2025. Despite objections from prosecutors who argued he posed a flight risk, a judge released Pokornik on a $250,000 bond on January 23.
His release carries strict conditions. The court confiscated his passport and restricted his movement to the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He must remain there until his trial begins on March 17. This case highlights the vulnerabilities within airline industry verification systems for employee travel. It also underscores the effectiveness of cross-border judicial cooperation in tackling sophisticated fraud.
Panama has recently strengthened its international legal collaboration in several areas. The country has also modernized other systems, like its export certification process, to improve security and efficiency. The Pokornik extradition demonstrates its active role in global law enforcement efforts.