Mongolian flag carrier to start non-stop flights between Singapore and Ulaanbaatar from Nov 4
MIAT Mongolian Airlines will use its Boeing 767 plane for the twice-weekly service.
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 being 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.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days
Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD
Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong
Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat
Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore
Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help
Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail
Singapore 12 motorists nabbed for providing illegal private-hire services: LTA
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 a 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 - at 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 frequency.
Mr Sobie added: 'MIAT will need to rely heavily on connecting traffic beyond Singapore to fill its B767. 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 Embassy of Mongolia 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 .
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
10 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US brings hate crime charges against suspect in killing of Israeli embassy staffers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox WASHINGTON - The U.S. on Wednesday brought federal hate crime charges against the suspect accused of gunning down two Israeli embassy staffers outside a museum in Washington in May, alleging he targeted them because they were Israelis, court papers showed. The nine-count indictment returned against Elias Rodriguez, 31, accuses him of carrying out a hate crime resulting in death motivated by the "actual and perceived national origin of any person." Rodriguez also faces charges of first-degree murder and murder of a foreign official. The indictment also includes special findings that would make Rodriguez eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Rodriguez was accused of fatally shooting Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, who were about to be engaged to be married. They were leaving a May 21 event for young professionals and diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum and hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights antisemitism and supports Israel, when they were killed. Rodriguez told police at the scene: 'I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza,' according to a criminal complaint. Witnesses recounted hearing him chant "Free Palestine" after he was taken into custody. He has not yet entered a plea to the prior charges, which also include causing death with a firearm and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. The killings in downtown Washington were widely condemned as an act of antisemitism and shook Jewish communities around the world. Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington said in May that the shooting would be investigated as a hate crime and the charges could carry the death penalty. The indictment by a federal grand jury comes ahead of a scheduled court appearance in Rodriguez's case on Friday. It alleges Rodriguez had a history of violent rhetoric online against Israelis, including a plea to "vaporize every Israeli 18 and above." Before the shooting, he scheduled a social media post to publish later that night with a document arguing that perpetrators and abettors of Israel's military actions in Gaza had "forfeited their humanity," according to the indictment. Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Chicago, flew to the Washington area from Chicago the day before the shooting. He was seen pacing outside the museum, little more than a mile (1.6 km) from the White House, shortly before the shooting, police said. Surveillance video footage showed Rodriguez firing about 20 rounds at Lischinsky and Milgrim, then leaning over them to fire several more rounds after they fell to the ground and after Milgrim tried to crawl away and sat up, according to an FBI affidavit in the criminal complaint. The gunman paused to reload, then resumed firing, it said. He then tossed away his gun, retreated into the museum and was arrested there after calling attention to himself as the suspect, pulling out a red Palestinian-style keffiyeh scarf and declaring that he "did it," the affidavit said. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Let's build respect and empathy for service staff from young
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A recent case where a customer at a Bugis dessert shop was filmed verbally abusing an employee until she cried is concerning. Sadly, I believe such instances of abuse directed at front-line service staff in Singapore are becoming more common. This is not just a problem of bad manners – it reflects a worrying erosion of empathy and respect for the dignity of work. While stronger workplace policies and enforcement are important, we must also focus on long-term cultural change and this begins with how we educate the next generation. We should integrate structured efforts to promote respect for all workers into our education system. For example, Character and Citizenship Education lessons in schools can include real-world scenarios involving service interactions and empathy-building exercises. Volunteering or short-term service placements during holidays could also offer students first-hand insight into the daily challenges service staff face. In parallel, parents and caregivers must model respectful behaviour. Children learn quickly from how adults treat others, whether with gratitude or entitlement. As we strive to build a gracious society, let us not forget those who serve us quietly every day. If we want a future Singapore that is not only smart but also kind, we must start by nurturing those values in our youth today. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong left out of SEA Games contingent Dennis Heng Jin Tong
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Casualties reported in active shooter incident at US Army base in state of Georgia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox ATLANTA - An active shooter incident at the Fort Stewart US Army base in Georgia has resulted in casualties, authorities said, and the base has been put on lockdown. 'The installation was locked down at 11.04am and law enforcement is on the scene,' Fort Stewart said in a Facebook post, adding the incident happened in the 2nd Armoured Brigade Combat Team area and that casualties had been reported. No further information was immediately available, including the number of casualties and their severity. A spokesperson for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office said the agency was assisting in the response at Fort Stewart but referred all questions to the US Army. Governor Brian Kemp wrote on X that he and his family were 'saddened by today's tragedy' at the base. 'We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same,' he added. Fort Stewart is about 360km south-east of Atlanta and 60km south-west of Savannah. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong out of SEA Games contingent
