US and Mongolia Set to Sign Open Skies Deal for Direct Flights in 2024
The United States (US) and Mongolian governments are poised to ink a groundbreaking Open Skies agreement, potentially leading to the launch of direct flights connecting the two nations starting in 2024.
Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erden is presently in the US for talks with Vice-President Kamala Harris, aiming to fortify bilateral relations between the two nations.
This significant development was unveiled by Harris and Oyun-Erden during a joint press conference held on August 2, 2023. Their discussions spanned multiple subjects, including the geopolitical dynamics surrounding Russia and China.
According to a Reuters report, the US already has Open Skies civil aviation accords established with over 130 countries globally.
Earlier in January 2023, a milestone was reached when the US and Mongolia signed a definitive Memorandum of Consultations (MOC), formalizing an Air Transport Agreement. This pact, which paves the way for “unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities,” sets the foundation for the upcoming Open Skies arrangement.
The forthcoming Open Skies deal will bind both nations to elevated standards of aviation safety and security, a commitment stemming from the underlying Air Transport Agreement.
Furthermore, plans have been unveiled for the launch of direct flight routes between the US and Mongolia, scheduled to commence operations in 2024. This represents a notable expansion for MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the nation’s flagship carrier, which currently services Europe and Asia but not the US.
Mongolia’s strategic positioning entails economic interdependence with China to its south and Russia to its north. However, the nation is actively diversifying its partnerships by fostering connections with countries like the US and South Korea.
Vice-President Harris emphasized the US’s vested interest in the Indo-Pacific region’s future, aiming for a well-connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient environment.
The Mongolian Prime Minister lauded the US’s consistent support for Mongolia’s established democracy, spotlighting areas such as the burgeoning ‘green economy’ and the creative industries as avenues for expanded collaboration in the coming years.
Oyun-Erden expressed his optimism, stating, “For us, the United States is not only our strategic third neighbor but also the guiding Polar Star on our democratic journey. I hope that history will record my visit this week as the start of a new chapter in our friendship and strategic partnership.”
Recent legislation in Mongolia has designated English as the primary foreign language in secondary education.
In addition to the Open Skies agreement and broader economic ties, Prime Minister Oyun-Erden’s US trip includes meetings with NASA’s deputy administrator and the executive secretary of the National Space Council. The aim is to explore opportunities for heightened cooperation in the space sector between Mongolia and the United States.