U.S. Embassy in Mongolia

USTDA Partners with Mongolia to Advance Secure, Direct Air Links

NEWS RELEASE

February 5, 2026

Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is bolstering America’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific by advancing safe, secure, and direct air connections between the United States and Mongolia. Today, USTDA signed an agreement to fund technical assistance to support the Mongolia Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) in enhancing civil aviation regulatory and safety oversight as it pursues a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Category 1 (CAT 1) rating, a critical milestone that will enable direct flights between the United States and Mongolia. Achieving CAT 1 status will also facilitate the export of rare earth oxides and other critical minerals, helping Mongolia access  global markets while leading to more resilient critical minerals supply chains.

“Deepening regulatory cooperation and information sharing between the United States and Mongolia will position U.S. authorities to more quickly detect and disrupt transnational threats,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Deputy Director. “This effort both strengthens America’s position in the Indo-Pacific and creates lasting benefits for Mongolia as it seeks to modernize its aviation sector and expand international trade.”

MCAA has selected Washington, DC-based The Wicks Group Consulting, LLC (TWG) to carry out the study. TWG will conduct on-site gap analyses, develop a corrective action plan, and provide targeted training to MCAA staff to address areas of non-compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. This activity will mobilize finance for future fleet investments and generate opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions over state-subsidized solutions from other nations.

Mongolian Vice Minister of Road and Transport Ganbold Gochoo said: “Establishment of direct air connection will open great opportunities for increasing socio-economic relations between Mongolia and the United States of America. It will boost trade and friendly relations between our countries and develop people-to-people ties. We greatly appreciate USTDA’s support and its catalytic contribution in funding technical assistance that will help Mongolia address safety oversight gaps, strengthen training, and prepare our civil aviation regulatory system. This Agreement is one of the important steps towards the establishment of direct flights between our countries which will bring American expertise to Mongolia to enhance civil aviation regulatory and safety oversight capability. By funding technical Assistance to enhance civil aviation regulatory and safety oversight capability of Mongolia US Trade and Development Agency brings to Mongolia technical solutions to close safety oversight gaps, resolve training deficiencies and eventually will prepare Mongolia Civil Aviation regulatory system ready for successful acquisition of Category 1 status for own direct flights from Mongolia to United States”

###

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov