On Friday, in advance of a state visit by Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it had signed an Open Skies Agreement between the United States and Mongolia.
The agreement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, will facilitate greater air connectivity between the two countries and will provide the legal framework necessary to institute nonstop passenger flights. The agreement was signed by Buttigieg and Mongolia Road and Transport Development Minister Byambatsogt Sandag.
The agreement was finalized on Jan. 24, 2023. It will establish new opportunities for airlines of both countries and will be an economic driver for the relationship between the two countries, officials said, while expanding traveling and shipping options. DOT has already issued authority to MIAT Mongolian Airlines to serve the U.S. on the basis of the agreement, officials said.
Mongolia is the 132nd U.S. Open Skies partner, the DOT said. The policy opens international aviation markets to foreign partners around the world. Since its institution in 1992, the policy has expanded opportunities for international passenger and cargo air transportation to and from the U.S. by eliminating government interference in commercial airline decisions.
Buttigieg and Byambatsogt also announced the signing of a memorandum of cooperation to foster cooperative work on multiple modes of transportation including rail, highway, inland waterways, transit and aviation.