Manila: The Philippines on Friday welcomed Mongolian winter tourists aboard a special charter flight, marking the launch of a limited direct air link between Mongolia and Philippine destinations. The Hunnu Air LLC-operated flight arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Dec. 26, carrying 126 passengers, mostly Mongolian nationals.
According to Philippines News Agency, the charter service is part of a series scheduled from Dec. 25 to Jan. 10, 2026, featuring four planned rotations and providing an estimated 616 additional seats. “Mongolia represents a niche but high-potential market for Philippine tourism. By opening direct access, starting with charter flights, we are lowering travel barriers, expanding options for travelers, and creating opportunities for tourism stakeholders on both sides to build sustained partnerships that will benefit our destinations and communities,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said in a statement.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) stated that this charter arrival is strategically timed to capture Mongolia’s peak winter travel season when outbound travel demand is at its strongest and travelers actively seek warmer destinations for extended stays. Currently, Mongolia ranks 57th among the country’s inbound markets, with 3,234 visitors to the Philippines as of December 1.
With no direct commercial flight route between the two countries, Mongolian travelers have had to transit through third countries, often requiring additional visas, to reach the Philippines. Frasco emphasized that this new route reflects the Marcos administration’s push to diversify source markets and strengthen air connectivity as a driver of tourism growth.
