Emirates Joins Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia in Facing Tougher Border Security Measures with New No-Boarding Directive Starting in 2026

Published on December 24, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

The travel landscape is undergoing a significant shift as Singapore prepares to implement its new No-Boarding Directive (NBD) in 2026. The initiative is a major overhaul in the country’s border security protocols, with five leading international airlines—Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia—being among the first to adopt these changes. This new approach to passenger screening aims to catch security risks before travelers even set foot in Singapore, ensuring a safer, more efficient arrival process at the country’s checkpoints.

What is the No-Boarding Directive (NBD)?

The No-Boarding Directive, which was officially announced in late 2024, shifts the traditional model of immigration control upstream. Rather than waiting until travelers arrive at their destination, Singapore is requiring airlines to conduct pre-flight screenings to prevent ineligible travelers from boarding flights in the first place. This initiative is designed to tackle security concerns, reduce airport congestion, and streamline the entire border control process.

The directive demands that airlines provide critical passenger data, such as passport details and the Singapore Arrival Card, to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) prior to departure. If a traveler is flagged as undesirable due to criminal history, security threats, or any other immigration violations, the ICA will issue a No-Boarding (NBD) notice to the airline, preventing the individual from boarding the flight.

Why is the NBD Being Implemented?

The primary driver for the NBD system is a significant uptick in the number of travelers being denied entry to Singapore. In the first 11 months of 2025 alone, approximately 41,800 foreigners were turned away at the country’s checkpoints. This marks a 26% increase compared to 2024 and a 46% increase from 2023. These denials are largely attributed to advanced screening systems, such as automated biometric scanning (iris and facial recognition) and anti-forgery technologies now in place at Changi Airport.

The NBD is set to enhance this process further by preventing ineligible passengers from even boarding their flights. This upstream screening will help Singapore identify security risks and reduce the strain on arrival processing at the airport, ensuring smoother travel for legitimate passengers.

Who Will Be Affected by the No-Boarding Directive?

The NBD will initially target five major international airlines that have substantial operations flying into Singapore. These carriers—Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia—will be the first to implement these new pre-flight screening measures starting in January 2026.

As part of the phased rollout, the system will initially be limited to these airlines, with additional carriers set to join in March 2026. The directive requires airlines to submit Advance Passenger Information (API), which includes crucial details such as passport information and Singapore Arrival Card data, to ICA before passengers even board their flights.

How Will the NBD Impact Each Airline?

Singapore Airlines (SQ)

As the flagship carrier of Singapore, Singapore Airlines (SQ) is at the forefront of implementing the NBD. Known for its world-class service and extensive global network, Singapore Airlines flies to over 130 destinations worldwide, making it a key player in international aviation. With the introduction of the NBD, Singapore Airlines will be required to integrate new technology and systems to ensure compliance with pre-screening measures. This will likely involve tighter coordination between their check-in counters and ICA to ensure smooth data transmission and quick identification of ineligible passengers.

For travelers flying with Singapore Airlines, the NBD will likely mean faster processing times at both departure and arrival points, as the airline works to ensure no undesirable passengers are allowed to board. The airline has long been recognized for its commitment to safety and security, and the NBD adds another layer to its already rigorous protocols.

Scoot (TR)

Scoot, the budget airline subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, operates a fleet of aircraft flying to various destinations across Asia, Australia, and beyond. While it serves a different market than its parent company, Scoot will be just as impacted by the No-Boarding Directive. Given the airline’s cost-effective pricing model, Scoot passengers may see new processes at check-in counters, where additional passenger data will be verified.

Scoot’s role in the NBD system will require the airline to comply with the same pre-screening requirements as Singapore Airlines, ensuring that only eligible travelers are allowed to board. For passengers, this could mean more paperwork or digital checks prior to boarding, but ultimately a more secure and efficient travel experience.

Emirates (EK)

Emirates, one of the world’s largest and most prominent international carriers, will also be affected by the No-Boarding Directive. Known for its extensive network connecting Dubai to the rest of the world, Emirates operates numerous flights to Singapore and is a crucial player in international tourism and business travel.

The implementation of the NBD means that Emirates will need to establish new procedures to verify passenger eligibility long before passengers board their flights in Dubai or other cities. Given the scale of Emirates’ operations, the integration of the new system may require significant upgrades in technology, staff training, and internal processes to comply with ICA’s requirements. For travelers, the biggest change may be the shift of some of the immigration checks to the pre-flight phase, reducing the need for long waits at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Turkish Airlines (TK)

Turkish Airlines has been rapidly expanding its network over the past decade and now serves passengers from its Istanbul hub to numerous destinations worldwide, including Singapore. With the NBD in place, Turkish Airlines will need to ensure that its check-in systems are fully integrated with ICA’s pre-screening protocols.

For Turkish Airlines passengers, the main impact will be felt in the form of earlier and more rigorous data collection before departure. Travelers will need to ensure that their travel documents are up to date and comply with Singapore’s strict entry requirements. The airline’s global reputation for safety and reliability means it will be prepared for the changes, ensuring that all passengers are properly screened before they board.

AirAsia (AK)

AirAsia, a major budget carrier based in Malaysia, serves a significant number of low-cost travelers flying into Singapore. As one of the largest budget airlines in Asia, AirAsia’s inclusion in the NBD’s early stages reflects the widespread impact of the new border security measures on all segments of the airline industry.

AirAsia will need to adapt its operations to ensure that it complies with the NBD, which may involve adjustments to check-in procedures and the way passenger data is handled. For passengers, this will likely mean providing additional information prior to departure, but the result will be a more seamless experience when they arrive in Singapore.

What Happens if You Are Denied Boarding?

If a traveler is denied boarding due to the NBD, they will not be able to rebook their flight to Singapore until they receive clearance from the ICA. This means that travelers will need to reach out to the ICA Feedback Channel to resolve any issues before they can attempt to fly to Singapore again. The ICA will assess each case individually and determine whether the passenger can be allowed to board a future flight.

When Will the NBD Take Effect?

The No-Boarding Directive will be rolled out in phases, with Phase 1 starting on January 30, 2026. The first phase will involve the five airlines mentioned—Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia—who must comply with the new pre-screening procedures. The second phase, set to begin in March 2026, will see additional airlines adopting the NBD system.

Conclusion

The No-Boarding Directive is a groundbreaking initiative in the realm of border security, affecting travelers and airlines alike. Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and AirAsia will be at the forefront of this change, ensuring that only eligible passengers board flights to Singapore. While these measures may introduce some inconvenience for travelers, they promise a more efficient and secure experience at Singapore’s borders. As the travel industry evolves, Singapore’s NBD may set a precedent for other countries seeking to bolster their security while maintaining a smooth passenger flow.

Image: Emirates