The Philippines welcomed its first charter flight from Mongolia, signaling efforts to diversify tourism source markets. The flight carried 126 passengers and is part of a series scheduled until January 2026.
The arrival of the first charter flight from Mongolia on December 26 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 7:20 a.m. marks the Philippines' opening of a new tourism route in Central and North Asia. Operated by Hunnu Air, the flight brought 126 passengers, mostly Mongolian nationals, who were welcomed with beaded necklaces at the airport.
Hunnu Air highlighted the milestone in a social media post: “Hunnu Air company made its first flight this year to UB–Manila on December 25, 2025,” as translated into English. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated that the charter flight aligns with the administration's push to diversify visitor markets beyond traditional sources and promote air connectivity as a key driver of tourism growth.
Mongolia is currently classified as a niche source market, handled by the Department of Tourism's China Office, and ranked 56th in inbound tourist arrivals to the Philippines as of December 26. With no direct commercial flight route between the two countries, Mongolian travelers typically transit through third countries, often requiring additional visas. These charter flights are part of a series scheduled from December 25, 2025, to January 10, 2026, with four planned rotations adding an estimated 616 new seats for Mongolian tourists.
The Department of Tourism noted the strategic timing, coinciding with Mongolia’s peak winter travel season when outbound travelers seek warmer destinations for longer stays.
