By B.Nyamsuren
Mongolia could generate up to MNT 1.5 trillion annually from air navigation services if infrastructure upgrades and geopolitical conditions improve, according to E.Turbayar, head of the Civil Aviation Authority.
In an interview with Zuunii Medee’s weekly “Trend Guest” section, Turbayar highlighted a joint project with France aimed at strengthening both infrastructure and human resources in the air navigation sector.
He said the program is a comprehensive initiative that includes training around 50 air traffic controllers and about 10 engineers and technical staff. France was selected as a partner due to its advanced technology and globally recognized training systems in air navigation.
The project will also help Mongolia meet international standards requiring dual control centers to ensure uninterrupted flight operations in case of risks such as natural disasters or technical failures. This would allow Mongolia to divide its airspace into two zones and manage flights from two centers, significantly improving reliability.
Turbayar noted that if geopolitical constraints ease, Mongolia’s annual revenue from air navigation services could exceed MNT 1 trillion and potentially reach MNT 1.5 trillion—comparable in economic impact to the mining sector.
However, he stressed that Mongolia is not waiting for global conditions to improve and is actively exploring alternative solutions. These include discussions with China to open a new air corridor near Tseel soum in Govi-Altai province, which could increase transit flights through Mongolian airspace.
He also said talks are ongoing with Russia to enhance connections along the Moscow–Ulaanbaatar route and potentially link air traffic further toward Kazakhstan through a new route of around 1,200 km. If successful, these initiatives would expand Mongolia’s transit capacity and boost revenue.
On the regulatory side, Turbayar emphasized the importance of strengthening the legal and oversight framework alongside infrastructure upgrades. Mongolia, as a member of international aviation agreements, undergoes periodic audits by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The country is preparing for a comprehensive audit scheduled for April 22, following its previous assessment in 2010–2011. Since then, Mongolia’s aviation sector has expanded significantly, with more airlines, a larger aircraft fleet and increased flight capacity.
The upcoming audit will assess areas such as certification processes, safety oversight, inspector independence and risks related to corruption and conflicts of interest. A positive evaluation would enhance international confidence and competitiveness, while a poor rating could negatively impact the sector’s development.
Turbayar said preliminary assessments have already identified several key recommendations as Mongolia prepares for the review.
Source: Zuuniimedee № 58 (7795) March 27, 2026
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