Ulaanbaatar, October 16, 2023 /MONTSAME/. The implementation of the Action Plan of the Government of Mongolia for 2020-2024 ensures the liberalization of airspace, creating competition, increasing the number of flights and routes, and improving the use of local airports. As reflected in Mongolia's long-term development policy "Vision-2050," several aimags will be equipped with 4C runways and passenger service complexes to support tourism and foreign trade through the presence of international airports.

In accordance with Resolution No. 253 of 2003, the Government of Mongolia decided to implement a concession design-renovation-use-transfer project to increase the capacity and bring the airports in Choibalsan (Dornod aimag), Khovd (Khovd aimag), Murun (Khuvsgul aimag), and Gurvan Saikhan (Umnogobi aimag) up to 4C class in line with international standards.

The Ministry of Road and Transport Development of Mongolia and the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia (MCAA), in partnership with the private sector, jointly announced the concession selection process for the renovation and operation of the abovementioned local airports, providing detailed information about each airport.

Opening the meeting with private sector representatives interested in the concession selection process, State Secretary of the Ministry of Road and Transport Development S. Batbold stressed, "The transportation sector requires massive investment. Therefore, we are trying to reduce the pressure on the state and pursuing a policy of supporting the private sector. In conjunction with the Mongolian Government's Action Plan, after many years, work has successfully begun under public-private partnership to improve the use of the four airports mentioned above."

According to the MCAA, the four airports initially selected for the concession have the potential to become regional international airline hubs for trade, transport, logistics, and tourism.

In particular, studies conducted by the MCAA show that the expansion of the Khovd Airport will promote the export of meat from the western region to Central Asia, development of Murun Airport will promote tourism and connect the world’s two most pristine lakes - the Khuvsgul Lake and the Lake Baikal, and development of Choibalsan Airport in Dornod aimag will help to turn it into a cargo transportation hub of South Asia.

“We will pay special attention to strengthening public-private partnership and cooperation in the field of air transport, as well as making efforts and cooperating in all aspects to improve the use of the airports,” said Ch. Munkhtuya, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia.