Mongolia’s Mega-Airport Upgrade: Turning Ulaanbaatar into a Silk Road Sky Hub www.travelradar.aero

Nestled across Mongolia’s wide-open grasslands, Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) isn’t just growing – it’s aiming big. Since opening in 2021, it’s been adding features like bigger freight zones and fresh overseas flights. Its target? Handle 2.4 million people by the end of 2025, just above today’s limit of 2.3 million. Travelers can expect to enjoy easier trips through updated Silk Route corridors but still, some concerns cast a shadow over this exciting development.
What’s behind the growth? Pushing to become a key spot in the area
Mongolia’s flight network is expanding quickly – tourists are returning, mining exports are climbing, while its location between China, Russia, and Europe adds extra pull. A joint effort by Mongolian and Japanese companies manages the airport, backed by about 500 million USD from Japan’s development fund to upgrade cargo zones and reinforce runways. Travel surged once restrictions faded; flyers are coming back since borders opened wider – even short-term visitors can enter visa-free for up to 72 hours.
Leaders see bigger economic perks – better air links could boost foreign trade or tourism, key where flights tackle isolation. The shift aligns with Mongolia’s goal to connect distant areas worldwide, though harsh winter weather still gets in the way.
Inside the Airport: Modern Features for Global Travelers
UBN’s sleek terminal covers 68,000 sq m, designed for quick moves while handling large jets like the 787. Inside, you get check-in screens instead of counters, local art on walls, along with chill zones dishing out regional meals. Fresh upgrades – take Maple Tree Park, planted in 2025 – slip greenery into urban life even when snow piles up.
Travelers enjoy hassle-free connections, like quick layovers on European routes – paired with nifty features including facial recognition gates. By 2025, Skytrax ranked it among the world’s fastest-improving hubs, climbing to sixth place due to upgraded facilities and smoother operations. But behind that glow, are deeper issues lurking? Online discussions show mixed feelings – people praise the modern look but question urban sprawl.
New Routes and Schedules: Bridging Continents
Mongolia’s main airline, MIAT, is growing by adding fresh paths to Europe. Flights to Frankfurt are back – now operated by a Boeing 767-300ER from Omni Air International every so often each year. Instead of connecting elsewhere, people will soon fly straight to Singapore or Shanghai starting in 2025. These direct trips kick off right before busy travel seasons heat up.
Take a look at key MIAT routes:
Flights from Ulaanbaatar (UBN) to Frankfurt (FRA) happen three times weekly in summer, run by Omni with Boeing 767-300ERs – making it simpler to get around Europe. Instead of connecting elsewhere, travelers go direct to Singapore (SIN) twice a week starting November 2025, same plane model, boosting access within Asia. Daily trips link Ulaanbaatar (UBN) and Istanbul (IST), operated with Boeing 737s throughout the year, focusing on smoother business travel options.
United Airlines joined in 2025, connecting via Tokyo. Because of this shift, UBN is becoming a key hub where travelers can now book journeys – ideal for those eyeing the Gobi Desert or far-off herding trails.
Checking social media for local opinions brings both optimism and caution. Chatter online reveals excitement over global spotlight – someone mentioned new travel routes might draw way more tourists – but gripes are there, like pollution in Ulaanbaatar rising due to work near the airport. Come 2025, close to twenty thousand signed a call for tighter oversight on construction, citing louder streets, shrinking green areas, and worsening traffic jams across town.
When trying to go eco-friendly, the airport shows what it’s doing: MIAT joined forces with OpenAirlines to cut fuel use, which drops CO₂ levels, whereas Maple Tree Park tackles soil damage. Yet broader research reveals Mongolia’s transit network has a hard time handling climate changes – harsh winters, for example, throw off flight plans. A few campaigners question if recent builds match Ulaanbaatar’s goal of greener development; despite solar panels at the hub helping out, specialists argue deeper emissions reductions are needed since more flights have been launching recently.
What comes now? Moving forward, UBN could make Mongolia a key transit spot – thanks to a fresh economic zone designed to lift job chances and bring in cash. Some pros expect 3 million passengers by 2027, but the true challenge is growing without wrecking emission goals. One politician stressed at climate discussions: charging ahead isn’t smart if it endangers environmental safeguards.
Chinggis Khaan International is rising fast, showing how Mongolia’s looking skyward – giving visitors new ways to reach wild landscapes while testing global links. Still, our look reveals mixed views: hopeful residents want jobs and growth, but others push for cleaner plans that include everyone.

EBRD announces settlement with Mongolian companies Max Impex and Khan Altai www.ebrd.com

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a 4.5-year debarment of two Max Group entities, Max Impex LLC (Max Impex) and Khan Altai Resource LLC (Khan Altai), and 22 affiliates in connection with a corrupt practice in an EBRD-financed project.
The project involves the provision of a senior loan by the EBRD to Khan Altai to finance the purchase of mining equipment in southwestern Mongolia.
An investigation by the EBRD’s Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) found that in relation to the project and potential further financing by the EBRD, Max Impex and Khan Altai made improper payments to EBRD staff members aimed at influencing their actions. The EBRD staff members demonstrated integrity by promptly reporting the improper conduct to OCCO and returning the funds.
The debarment is part of a settlement agreement under which Max Impex and Khan Altai admitted responsibility. The debarment makes Max Impex, Khan Altai and 22 affiliates ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the EBRD for 4.5 years.
The settlement agreement provides for a reduced sanction in light of the Max Group entities’ cooperation during OCCO’s investigation, their admission of culpability for the prohibited practice, and voluntary restraint from participating in other EBRD-financed projects.
Under the terms of the settlement, the Max Group entities commit to improving and reporting through an independent consultant on their compliance programme and to conducting compliance audits to mitigate integrity risks across all their activities. If these companies fail to fulfil their obligations, they will remain debarred for four additional years.
The debarment qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for the Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on 9 April 2010.
About OCCO
OCCO plays a central role in the EBRD’s commitment to integrity through its mandate to investigate prohibited practices in EBRD-financed projects. More information on OCCO’s broader mandate and on the EBRD’s sanctions system are available on our website.

Ulaanbaatar Targets 50 Percent Waste Recycling by 2040 www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar plans to recycle 50 percent of its waste and incinerate the remainder to generate energy by 2040, according to the Capital City Governor’s Office.
The initiative is expected to reduce waste sent to landfills by 5-8 percent. Officials note that as waste sorting and recycling increase, the volume of waste requiring incineration will decline, helping to reduce environmental impacts.
To advance the city’s waste management to a new level, a waste-to-energy project is planned for implementation between 2025 and 2028 through a public–private partnership. Once operational, the facility will incinerate 31.8 percent of the city’s waste to produce energy for the central grid, both safely treating waste and generating economic benefits.

Mayor Nyambaatar: ‘Construction of Tuul Highway to Begin in March 2026’ www.montsame.mn

Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Nyambaatar Khishgee briefed the media on November 27, 2025, on the progress of road infrastructure projects in the Capital city.
He stated that “Preparations for the construction of the Tuul Highway are over 90 percent complete, including quarry development, design work, equipment mobilization, and camp installation. Land clearance is also underway. Tomorrow, the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces and the city administration will jointly relocate the Shooting Range of Military Unit No. 013, which falls along the highway route. Construction of the Tuul Highway will begin in March 2026. The road’s traffic lanes will be opened on July 1, 2027, which is expected to reduce traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar by 15 percent,” said Mayor Nyambaatar. He added that a tender for the New Ring Road connection will open next week. The city aims to select a contractor and sign the contract within this year. Once operational, the New Ring Road is expected to reduce congestion by 40 percent. Ulaanbaatar’s current road network can support around 84,000 vehicles, while more than 600,000 vehicles participate in daily traffic. During summer, with lower congestion, around 450,000 vehicles use the roads per day. “With the completion of the Tuul Highway and New Ring Road, traffic flow in the Capital city will significantly improve. Urban development in Ulaanbaatar will continue without interruption,” the Mayor emphasized.
According to the Governor’s Office of the Capital City of Ulaanbaatar, the Tuul Highway will consist of six lanes and extend 32 km, connecting from the eastern Ulaanbaatar–Nalaikh road to the safety roundabout leading toward the western aimags (provinces).

Mongolia-Japan Public-Private Sectors Hold XII Consultative Meeting www.montsame.mn

The 12th Consultative Meeting of Mongolian-Japanese Public and Private Sectors was held in Tokyo, Japan.
The Meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Gankhuyag Khassuuri, and State Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan, Yamada Kenji, and attended by over 170 representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Economy and Development, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan-Mongolia Economic Committee, and public and private entities from the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister Gankhuyag highlighted 2025 as a significant year in strengthening the bilateral relations and deepening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, as His Majesty King and Queen of Japan paid a State Visit to Mongolia for the first time at the invitation of the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.
He stated, “We are committed to expanding and developing mutually beneficial economic cooperation as a key pillar of the Mongolia-Japan Special Strategic Partnership by increasing trade and investment and strengthening cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries. In this regard, this Consultative Meeting between the Mongolian and Japanese government and private sectors is of great importance for open and productive discussions on potential opportunities.”
During the Meeting, discussions were held on improving the financial and investment environment and green financing; critical mineral resources, investment, and cooperation opportunities; renewable energy and climate change mitigation; cooperation in science, technology, and industry; innovation and digital investment; and developing the startup ecosystem. The Mongolian side provided detailed information about the government’s development policies and activities, expressing its willingness to attract Japanese investment into major development projects and programs, and to work together to introduce best practices and advanced technologies.
The Mongolia-Japan government and private sector consultative meetings have been held alternately in Ulaanbaatar and Tokyo since 2007. The 13th Consultative Meeting will take place in Mongolia in 2026.

Ulaanbaatar Metro Construction to Commence in 2026 www.montsame.mn

Construction of the Ulaanbaatar Metro, an urban transport project aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the city center, is set to begin in 2026. The line will extend 19.4 kilometers along Enkhtaivan Avenue, the city’s busiest corridor, running from Tolgoit to Amgalan. It will feature 15 stations – 14 underground and 1 above ground – with a design capacity of 17,200 passengers per hour.
According to the Office of the Governor of Ulaanbaatar, the feasibility study (FS) and concept design have already been finalized. In parallel, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is being conducted jointly by Korea’s Inojen Co., Ltd and Mongolia’s Eco Natur LLC consultancy, with completion expected in December, 2025.
Currently, an average of 347,000 vehicles traverse Ulaanbaatar each day along the east-west corridors. During peak hours, commuters spend between three to four hours in traffic, contributing to substantial economic losses through reduced productivity, increased fuel consumption, and mounting social pressures.
Mayor Nyambaatar Khishgee stated that the Ulaanbaatar Metro tender has been launched, with final selection among 27 enterprises scheduled for December 15. He added that project planning and financing are ongoing, while the fourth-stage selection for the tram project will begin on December 1, 2025.
The metro’s commissioning is anticipated to improve air quality and contribute to better public health.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) will be introduced around metro stations, with shopping and service hubs planned adjacent to each stop to boost local economic activity. The metro is estimated to cut travel times from 45 minutes by bus to about 15 minutes, offering direct support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Each station could accommodate around 10 SMEs, amounting to 150–200 businesses across the network. In addition, development activities around the stations are projected to generate roughly 150,000 new jobs.

Prime Minister Appoints New First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry www.montsame.mn

Prime Minister of Mongolia Zandanshatar Gombojav signed an order appointing Member of Parliament and Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Enkhbayar Jadamba as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development, and MP Badamsuren Myagmarsuren as Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the appointments were made under his constitutional and legal authority. He noted that the Government has set the “New Confidence – Bold Reform” agenda for the next four years, focusing on diversifying the economy, improving the business environment, reducing state involvement in the market, and strengthening fair competition.
The Prime Minister stated that the two sectors, economic development and food, agriculture, and light industry, are closely interconnected, and highlighted the appointees’ expertise and public service experience. He called on the new ministers to implement the Government’s agenda and pursue decisive reforms.
The Prime Minister had formally presented his decision on the appointments to the President on November 24, 2025. The decision was also presented to both the MPP group in the parliament and the plenary session of the State Great Khural, and the appointees took oaths before the State Great Khural on November 25, 2025, followed by the issuance of the Premier’s order.
As First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development, Uchral Nyam-Osor was elected as Chairman of the State Great Khural on November 20, 2025, the position required a new appointment.

Rio Tinto to sell US boron assets www.mining.com

Rio Tinto (ASX, LSE: RIO) is looking to sell its boron assets in California as part of the group’s ongoing efforts to simplify its operating model, according to Bloomberg.
On Wednesday, the media outlet reported that the Australian mining major will sell all its US boron assets, which include a mine and processing operations in the Mojave Desert town named after the element. Also being sold are Rio’s refinery and shipping facility in Los Angeles port and its Owens Lake mining operation near Sierra Nevada.
Together, these California assets meet about 30% of global demand for boron, according to the company’s website.
Boron is currently used in a variety of industrial applications, including in fertilizer, glass and ceramics manufacturing, fiberglass insulation and for strengthening metal alloys. The United States, despite already establishing itself as a leading producer, recently included boron on its latest critical minerals list, citing its key role in economic and national security-related products such as permanent rare earth magnets.
$2 billion in value
Rio’s California boron mine has been active well before its acquisition in 1967. Now in its 100th year of operation, it has become a world-leading producer of borates and boron chemicals. The deposit’s reserves are sufficient to support production through the early 2040s.
A sale of the boron mine reflects Rio’s strategy to simplify its operations structure under new chief executive Simon Trott. Since taking the helm three months ago, Trott has reorganized the group into three divisions and ordered a review of the minerals unit, which includes borates. The company currently makes nearly all its earnings from iron ore, copper and aluminum.
Rio has engaged two major banks — UBS Group AG and JPMorgan Chase — to advise on the sales process, which is expected to start in the next fortnight, Bloomberg said. According to its sources. Rio’s boron assets could fetch as much as $2 billion, with private equity firms or chemical producers the likely bidders.
(With files from Bloomberg)

Mongolia may join CIS Railway Transport Council www.report.az

Mongolian solar plant: Unique 2024 project unveiled www.pvknowhow.com

TML Group’s Pivot: Investing in a Mongolian solar plant
In a strategic move that underscores a growing regional trend, Mongolian plastic producer TML Group is set to construct an 80 MW solar plant and a 100 MWh battery energy storage system in Dundgovi Province. According to reports from IJGlobal, the project, which aims to supply power to the central grid, marks a significant and ambitious shift from the company’s traditional focus on plastic packaging.
TML Group’s Renewable Energy Vision and the Mongolian solar plant
TML Group is poised to broaden its operational scope by developing an 80 MW solar power plant coupled with a 100 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Dundgovi Province. This project will feed clean power into the central grid, representing a major diversification from the company’s core business. TML Group’s expansion into renewable energy reflects a broader movement among industrial firms to invest in sustainable practices, enhance energy security, and contribute to national climate goals. This initiative is particularly notable as it represents a major step forward in Mongolia’s renewable energy sector, which has traditionally been dominated by coal-fired power.
The company has already secured the necessary permits from the Ministry of Energy of Mongolia to develop this ambitious project. By integrating the solar plant with a powerful battery storage system, TML Group aims to ensure a stable and reliable supply of renewable energy, tackling the issue of intermittency and helping reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Dundgovi’s Potential for a Large-Scale Mongolian solar plant
Dundgovi Province, located in central Mongolia, is a prime location for solar energy development. The province boasts abundant sunshine, with an average of 270 to 300 sunny days per year, making it ideal for large-scale solar projects. The geographical and climatic conditions of Dundgovi provide a significant advantage, as the region’s high solar irradiance levels ensure optimal energy production throughout the year.
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The solar plant’s 80 MW capacity will make it one of the largest solar facilities in the country. Such a large-scale project depends on a sophisticated solar panel manufacturing process to produce the thousands of modules required. The addition of a 100 MWh battery energy storage system is a critical component, helping to balance the grid by storing excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours and releasing it during periods of high demand or low solar generation. This synergy between generation and storage is key to making renewable energy a dependable power source.
Impacts of the Mongolian solar plant Project
The project is expected to bring significant benefits to the local community and the broader Mongolian economy. The construction phase will require a substantial workforce and specialized equipment, including advanced solar panel manufacturing machines, stimulating economic activity in Dundgovi Province. A look at a typical solar panel manufacturing plant cost breakdown reveals the scale of investment involved in such ventures. By exporting renewable energy to the central grid, the project will help Mongolia reduce its carbon footprint and align with global efforts to combat climate change.
This solar and battery storage initiative is a cornerstone of Mongolia’s broader strategy to diversify its energy mix. The nation aims to leverage its vast solar and wind resources to become a regional leader in clean energy. Understanding the basics of solar panel manufacturing and the complex supply chain for solar panel raw materials highlights the project’s complexity and its potential to build new industrial capabilities within the country.
TML Group’s investment demonstrates a powerful commitment to sustainability and a forward-thinking vision. By pivoting from plastic production to renewable energy generation, the company is setting an inspiring example for other businesses in Mongolia and beyond.
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