During his official visit to the United States of America, the Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyun-Erdene will hold official talks on deepening the strategic partnership developed with the United States of America, which plays an essential role in Mongolia’s “third neighbor” policy and expanding political, economic, humanitarian and regional cooperation.
In line with this effort, the Mongolian and US governments have approved the "Open Skies" agreement. The Minister of Road and Transport Development, Byambatsogt Sandag, and US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, signed the agreement.
The agreement is expected to come into effect in the first half of 2024 and it will allow direct flights between Mongolia and the United States, significantly reducing flight costs. The ticket prices are expected to drop by half, and travel time is expected to be cut by two to three times. Mongolian air carriers will be able to fly to any city within the US, providing a more direct and cost-effective travel option for Mongolian citizens. The agreement will also help Mongolia keep an estimated 45 million US dollars per year within the country.
Almost 50 thousand Mongolian citizens who study, work, and live in the US will benefit from this agreement, and it will also expand the capabilities of Mongolian air carriers, enhancing their competitiveness. Moreover, this agreement is of great significance for Mongolia in many aspects, such as the expansion of trade and economic relations between Mongolia and the US and the strengthening of the "third neighbor policy."