United States, Mongolia Sign Open-Skies Agreement and Transportation Memorandum

In connection with the official state visit between Vice President Kamala Harris and Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Mongolia Road and Transport Development Minister Byambatsogt Sandag signed the U.S.-Mongolia Open Skies Agreement. The Agreement will facilitate greater air connectivity between the United States and Mongolia and will provide the legal framework for nonstop passenger flights.  

The Agreement, which is now being applied by the two agencies, was finalized on January 24, 2023. It establishes new opportunities for airlines of both countries and will be an important economic driver for the bilateral relationship while expanding options for travelers and shippers, and encouraging closer people-to-people ties.  DOT has already issued authority to MIAT Mongolian Airlines to serve the United States on the basis of the new Agreement. Mongolia is the 132nd U.S. Open-Skies partner.   

Secretary Buttigieg and Minister Byambatsogt also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to foster cooperative work on multiple modes of transportation, including rail, highways, inland waterways, transit, aviation, and hazardous materials safety.  

About Open Skies 

The U.S. Open Skies policy remains the global gold standard in international aviation liberalization.  DOT issued the Open Skies policy in 1992, and the United States has since liberalized international aviation markets with 132 foreign partners around the world.  Open Skies has expanded opportunities for international passenger and cargo air transportation to and from the United States by eliminating government interference in commercial airline decisions about routes, capacity, frequencies, and pricing, so that airlines can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient international air transportation to consumers, promoting increased travel and trade, and spurring the creation of high-quality jobs and economic growth.  Open Skies agreements expand cooperative marketing opportunities between airlines, liberalize charter regulations, improve flexibility for airline operations, and facilitate intermodal connectivity.