Mongolia has cancelled permission for flights from the capital of Kazakhstan to Ulan Bator

Almaty. May 19. KazTAG – Mongolia cancelled permission for flights by “Air Astana” from Astana to Ulan Bator, KazTAG reports with reference to the Corporate communications department of Kazakhstani company.
““Air Astana” regrets to inform that cancels flights between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Mongolia scheduled as of June 2, 2016, in connection with the unreasonable cancellation of flight permission by the aviation authorities of Mongolia,” the press-release stated on Thursday.

As the air company explained, the intergovernmental agreement on air traffic between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Mongolia was signed back in 1992, followed by memorandum of understanding on opening flights signed in 2014. These documents provide the legal basis for the airlines of both countries to carry out flights.

“Eight months prior to the first flight scheduled “Air Astana” started the procedure for the approval documents submitting, which normally takes two months. The company successfully passed the audit by Mongolia’s civil aviation authorities and has not received any comments. In March 2016 the aviation authorities of Mongolia gave the permission for flights, but later in April 2016 cancelled it unilaterally with no valid reasons,” the text states.

The air agreement provides for three reasons only, according to which the Mongolian side may cancel the permission for Kazakhstan’s designated carrier. However, despite the efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Development and the air company, the aviation authorities of Mongolia have not revised their decision, referring to the number of unfounded and changing reasons, the report underlines.

“Among them the authorities refer to the audit, though the company has confirming documents saying there were no single comment, closing of Ulan Bator airport in June due to the “Asia-Europe” forum to be held mid-July, “black list” as provided by ICAO although “Air Astana” has never had a ban on flights in any country,” the airline representatives say.

It is reported that the intergovernmental air agreement was signed on the basis of the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Cancelling flights of the assigned carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan to be carried out in accordance with the bilateral agreement, Mongolia, the Kazakhstani side believes, violates the provisions of the Chicago Convention and the air company will submit a due request to the ICAO Council.