Due to the sparse population, and the severe weather conditions during winter, surface transportation by road and railway is not well developed in Mongolia. Air transport plays an important role in smoothing socio-economic activities in Mongolia. Particularly, tourism is highly considered in view of the importance of this industry to the general economy of Mongolia. Without the proper air transportation infrastructure that provides the connection of Ulaanbaatar and the regional centres, tourism would be disadvantaged. Airport, airline services and tourism are linked and none can be considered in isolation. Tourism demands safe, rapid and efficient transport that can only be provided by air travel.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolian (MCAA), under the Ministry of Infrastructure, is the Aviation Implementing Agency of Mongolia and has as its mission the provision of a safe, secure and efficient aviation system that contributes to the national economy of Mongolia. It is charged with the responsibility for providing air traffic control services, for operation of airports, for the setting of safety standards and their overseeing and for the regulatory aspects of these operations. In order to achieve its goals and to adhere to its mission statement as well as to provide its customers with a safe and efficient air transport infrastructure the MCAA has been requested to implement urgently an upgrade of the Ulaanbaatar International Airport and in view of the need to re-equip the domestic fleet for MIAT, with more modern, economical and efficient aircraft and an upgrade of seven regional airports will also be required.
Included in these projects will be the upgrading of the aviation security system to ensure that it is capable of meeting world standards in this important area. Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, the Triumphal Gate of Mongolia and its capital Ulaanbatar is located 14 kilometres southwest of Ulaanbaatar city and offers both international and domestic services. The Ulaanbaatar Airport Upgrading Project commenced in 1993 and was funded by an ADB Loan. The airport, like many airports around the world, runs all types of operation and services 24 hours a day. In accordance with ICAO standards, Buyant-Ukhaa has a 4D-cat-egory aerodrome able to handle aircrafts of all models, has all necessary ground handling equipment and facilities.
The airport offers guests, tourists, travellers and other passengers passing through the airport a new modern customer-friendly Buyant-Ukhaa Tourist camp complex and the luxurious HANRIM HOTEE, built with views over the beautiful Mongolian landscape. With the opening and operation of new transpolar air routes connecting North America and South East Asia the number of flights over Mongolia will increase due to the considerable time-saving gained using these routes. It is anticipated that there will be significant growth in this area. This in itself means that the airlines will be looking for suitable alternative airports to use in an emergency situation or for technical, or refuelling stops because of adverse weather conditions affecting their flight times and thus fuel burn.
Additionally the good geographical situation of Ulaanbaatar could play an extremely important role in establishing new cargo hub and distribution point for further delivering cargo and transporting passengers to both Russian Siberia and Northern China. Of the alternative sites studied for an airport location, southwest of the town of Zuun Mod, was the only site, which met all of the requirements, as suitable for the long-term development of a new international airport. The site is located approximately 7 kilometres southwest of the town of Zuun Mod or some 36 km from the existing Buyant-Ukhaa Airport in an open level valley area, at an approximate elevation of 1,380 meters.
MIAT is an old established airline with its roots going back to the Mongolian Air Force in 1925. 1946 saw the establishment of a true civil air detachment for local services in Mongolia but it wasn't until 1987 that MIAT started its international services with Tupolev 154 aircraft from the former Soviet Union. The MIAT-Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) operates the international routes between Ulaanbaatar and Moscow, Irkutsk, Beijing, Hohhot, Berlin, Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka. Some 99 per cent of domestic air transportation is provided by MIAT Mongolian Airlines. Their Russian made aircraft An-24's and An-26's operate on domestic routes.
Currently the MCAA operates 22 domestic airports distributed in each province, or aimag. Although the MCAA and MIAT operate at a loss with their domestic air transportation operation, they still conduct this service to support social and human needs. Domestic airports play a major role in force-majeur and emergency situations. In addition to its leased A-310-300 and B-73 7-800, the airline operates Antonov AN-24/26s. MIAT is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which is responsible for coordinating airline activities and for providing common operating standards and rules.
Membership also makes it possible for MIAT to do business and cooperate with foreign airline members with the status of a fellow member. In Mongolia also operate 6 private air companies. The main operation of private airlines is the charter flights, particularly to the tourist camps, and flights to certain sites during emergency situations. The Mongolian Government's policy on the development of the civil aviation sector is the acceleration of the participation of private sector, decrease market monopolisation and supporting the foreign investment and cooperation.
