Direct air connectivity between India and Mongolia commenced on September 28, 2026, with the launch of a regular non-stop service between New Delhi and Ulaanbaatar. Operated by Mongolia-based Hunnu Air, the route reduces travel time between the two capitals to approximately five hours, offering a faster alternative to connecting flights.
The inaugural flight from Ulaanbaatar arrived at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport at 7:20 am, while the first return flight departed New Delhi at 4:37 pm. The service is scheduled to operate every Monday, replacing journeys that previously involved transit through hubs such as Beijing or Incheon and could take between 13 and 18 hours.
The new route is expected to improve connectivity for tourism, business and medical travel, while strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries. For Mongolian travellers, the direct service will provide easier access to India’s Buddhist heritage sites, while Indian visitors will have more convenient access to Mongolia’s landscapes, historical attractions and winter tourism destinations.
The air link could also support bilateral trade by facilitating faster and potentially more economical cargo movement between the countries. Improved accessibility is expected to create additional opportunities for cooperation across tourism, commerce and other sectors, complementing the existing strategic partnership between India and Mongolia.
The launch fulfils an announcement made during Mongolian President U Khurelsukh’s state visit to India in October 2025. The service was announced at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. India’s Ambassador to Mongolia, Atul Malhari Gotsurve, and Hunnu Air CEO Munkhjargal worked with relevant stakeholders to operationalise the route.
The Embassy of India in Ulaanbaatar said the new connection would further strengthen the multifaceted strategic partnership between the two nations. It also acknowledged the support of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Mongolia’s Ministry of Road and Transport. Existing visa-free travel arrangements for each other’s nationals, alongside an e-visa facility, are expected to further facilitate travel between the countries.
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