Mongolian flag carrier to start non-stop flights between Singapore and Ulaanbaatar from Nov 4

SINGAPORE – Travellers will be able to fly directly between Singapore and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar from Nov 4, with the launch of a non-stop service between the two cities by MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

The state-owned national carrier announced the new route on social media on July 22, adding that the flights will operate twice a week – on Tuesdays and Saturdays – strengthening the airline’s network.

The flight from Singapore will leave at 7.25pm and arrive in Mongolia at 2.55am. The return flight from Ulaanbaatar will leave at 10.35am local time and arrive in Singapore at 6pm.

Tickets are on sale, and checks by The Straits Times show that economy-class seats are priced as low as $385.60. However, the flights are available only during winter until March 26, 2026, for now.

According to its website, MIAT will use a Boeing 767 plane for the 7½-hour flight. The twin-aisle jet has 15 business-class seats and 237 seats in economy.

Booking information indicates that the airline will operate out of Changi Airport Terminal 1, but ST understands that this has not yet been finalised.

MIAT previously flew between Singapore and Ulaanbaatar in 2014 via Beijing, but the service was short-lived.

The Embassy of Mongolia in Singapore said it played an active role in facilitating dialogue between MIAT, Changi Airport Group (CAG) and the relevant ministries and aviation authorities to get the new non-stop commercial flight off the ground.

This is after the embassy began helping tour operators here to organise direct charter flights to Ulaanbaatar in 2023 to support Mongolia’s tourism sector.

It told ST that the launch of a direct Singapore-Ulaanbaatar service marks a significant milestone in the 55 years of

bilateral relations between the two countries

.

It said the flights carry strategic importance as they will deepen economic, trade and investment ties by facilitating business travel and lowering logistical barriers.

The embassy added that a mutual 30-day visa-free arrangement between the two countries has driven a steady increase in visitors, and the new flights will accelerate this trend.

“The embassy believes this air link has the potential to catalyse greater collaboration in tourism, investment, education and cultural exchange,” it said.

Independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation agreed that Singapore is a strategic destination for Mongolia, noting that the Republic is the country’s third-largest foreign investor.

But he said the strong interest in the Singapore-Ulaanbaatar route does not mean it will be commercially viable, citing the small number of passengers travelling between the two cities – about 15,000 annually in each direction.

While business travel accounts for a sizeable portion of this traffic, the infrequent twice-weekly service from Singapore means many of these travellers will likely continue transiting at other hubs like Hong Kong, Seoul and Beijing, which have more frequent flights.

Mr Sobie added: “MIAT will need to rely heavily on connecting traffic beyond Singapore to fill its Boeing 767. But generating sufficient transit passengers will be challenging.”

The analyst said the airline’s main target will be to secure onward connections from Singapore to Australia, after it dropped an initial plan to operate to Sydney via Singapore on its own.

But this will be challenging as the airline does not have a strong relationship with Singapore Airlines or Qantas, which will make it hard to access seats at a reasonable fare, he added.

Asked about the viability of the Singapore-Ulaanbaatar route, the Mongolian embassy said it continues to engage with tourism boards, travel agencies and business chambers to raise awareness and promote usage of the flights.

The embassy also plans to align upcoming diplomatic, cultural and economic events with the flight schedule to boost demand.

For Singapore and CAG, Mr Sobie said Ulaanbaatar represents a new, exciting non-stop link, which supports the overall strategy of

expanding the airport’s portfolio of destinations

.

CAG’s executive vice-president for air hub and cargo development Lim Ching Kiat said the airport operator will work with MIAT to promote the new flight.

CAG will also facilitate collaborations between MIAT and other airlines at Changi Airport, he added, noting that Singapore will serve as a gateway for travellers from Mongolia who wish to explore South-east Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had said in 2024 that Changi Airport aims to be linked to more than 200 cities in the mid-2030s, up from more than 170 today.

ST previously reported that CAG officials are exploring relaunching direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan, with Central Asia among the emerging markets that the airport operator is targeting.