The new Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) serving Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar officially started operations on July 4. Backed by Japanese investment, the new airport is located in the Tuv province about 50 km southwest of central Ulaanbaatar. The first flight to the new airport was conducted by MIAT, Mongolian Airlines flight enroute Ulaanbaatar-Tokyo-Ulaanbaatar.

The airport will be operated by Narita International Airport Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan Airport Terminal and Jalux in partnership with the Mongolian Government. The partners have signed a 15-year deal with the government to run the facility.

Operations at new Ulaabaatar International Airport were supposed to begin in 2020 but were delayed due to the pandemic.

A Narita International Airport Corporation spokesperson said: “Although the pandemic has significantly reduced air travel in Mongolia, demand for flights is expected to increase over the medium to long term, particularly in Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital and centre of its political and economic activity. The new airport will likely play an increasingly prominent role over the coming years.”