MIAT Mongolian Airlines
MIAT Mongolian Airlines is Mongolia’s state-owned flag carrier and largest airline by fleet size and destination coverage.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
MIAT Mongolian Airlines is the flag carrier of Mongolia and the country’s principal scheduled passenger airline. Headquartered in Ulaanbaatar, it operates from Chinggis Khaan International Airport near the capital and serves a network linking Mongolia with destinations in Asia and Europe. The airline is state-owned and has historically played a strategic role in maintaining Mongolia’s international air links, supporting domestic connectivity, and promoting the country as a tourism and transit destination. The airline’s operational roots extend to the development of civil aviation in socialist Mongolia. Regular MIAT services began on 7 July 1956, when an Antonov An-2 operated a route between Ulaanbaatar and Irkutsk after Mongolian flight crews had completed training in the Soviet Union. During its early decades, MIAT relied almost entirely on Soviet-designed aircraft, including the An-2, Ilyushin Il-14, Antonov An-24 and An-26. By 1970 it served approximately 130 airfields, connecting the capital with provincial centers and more remote settlements. International operations expanded in the late 1980s with services to Moscow, Irkutsk and Beijing, initially using Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft. Mongolia’s transition to a market economy changed MIAT’s fleet, management environment and international orientation. In 1992, the airline acquired Harbin Y-12 commuter aircraft for domestic operations, while Boeing 727 aircraft were obtained with assistance associated with Korean Air’s parent group. MIAT became an independent state-owned enterprise in 1993. It subsequently opened routes beyond its former Soviet and Chinese network, including Seoul in 1995 and Berlin and Osaka in 1996. An Airbus A310 leased in 1998 marked the airline’s first Airbus operation. During the 2000s and 2010s, MIAT progressively replaced older Soviet-era aircraft with leased and purchased Boeing aircraft, including the 737 and 767 families. MIAT ended regular domestic service in 2008, although it briefly restored limited domestic flying in 2009. The airline concentrated for a period on international scheduled and charter routes, including services to Hong Kong and Sanya. It later expanded its Asian network with destinations such as Tokyo, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In 2011, MIAT leased Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and began regular Hong Kong flights. The carrier also placed direct orders for Boeing aircraft, a significant change from its earlier reliance on leasing and inherited Soviet equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted planned fleet and network development. Nevertheless, MIAT operated repatriation, aid and charter flights on unusually long routes, including the first nonstop Mongolia–North America service in 2020 between Ulaanbaatar and Seattle. Similar special operations connected Mongolia with Sydney and Johannesburg. After the pandemic, the airline resumed and broadened domestic flying. From June 2023 it restored service to Khovd and Mörön and added other Mongolian destinations, using additional leased capacity. The airline also introduced or expanded Boeing 787 operations and began developing a regional domestic concept using Bombardier aircraft under the MIAT Regional branding. MIAT’s current strategic narrative emphasizes Mongolia’s geographic position between Europe and Asia. It has sought to increase transfer traffic through Chinggis Khaan International Airport, improve infrastructure and marketing, and use codeshare and interline relationships with international carriers. Its partnerships include codeshares with Air China, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air and Turkish Airlines, together with interline arrangements involving carriers such as Air France, All Nippon Airways, KLM, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. The brand therefore combines the functions of a national carrier, an international gateway and a tool of Mongolia’s tourism and transport policy.
History
Mongolian civil aviation developed after a Junkers F 13 supplied by the Soviet Union arrived in Ulaanbaatar on 25 May 1925. A Civil Air Transport Department began operating in 1946 with eight aircraft, serving provincial centers and conducting limited charter and airmail flights. The first group of Mongolian crews trained for Antonov An-2 operations in Irkutsk in 1955, and regular MIAT services commenced on 7 July 1956 with a flight from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk. Ilyushin Il-14 aircraft joined the fleet in 1957, and by the following year MIAT operated 14 An-2s and seven Il-14s. The airline expanded across Mongolia during the 1960s and 1970s. Antonov An-24 and later An-26 turboprops supported domestic operations, while MIAT’s network reached about 130 airfields by 1970. Most traffic moved between Ulaanbaatar and provincial centers, with secondary services linking provincial capitals and smaller district settlements. International scheduled operations began in 1987 to Moscow, Irkutsk and Beijing. MIAT used leased Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft for these services, including a Tu-154B and a later Tu-154M. The post-socialist period brought new aircraft, routes and organizational changes. In 1992, MIAT purchased five Chinese Harbin Y-12 commuter aircraft for domestic flying. Boeing 727 aircraft were also acquired during the decade, and MIAT became an independent state-owned enterprise in 1993. Seoul was added in 1995, followed by Berlin and Osaka in 1996. An Airbus A310 leased in 1998 became the airline’s first Airbus aircraft. The 1990s also included a series of fatal accidents involving An-2, An-24 and Y-12 aircraft; the last fatal MIAT accident listed in the reference history occurred in 1998. During the 2000s, MIAT shifted toward Western-built aircraft. A leased Boeing 737 replaced the aging 727 fleet in 2002, the same year the airline introduced Tokyo service. The An-24 and An-26 fleets were progressively retired between 2003 and 2008. MIAT received a Boeing 737-800 in 2008 and ended regular domestic flights that July, briefly restoring limited service to Mörön and Khovd in 2009. The airline continued international charter operations, including flights to Hong Kong and Sanya. A mechanics’ strike halted flights in June 2010; the disruption was resolved after changes to senior management and technical leadership. In 2011, MIAT leased two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft from Air Lease Corporation and began regular Hong Kong operations. It later ordered Boeing aircraft directly from the manufacturer, including a 767-300ER and two 737-800s, marking its first direct fleet expansion of that kind in roughly two decades. The A310 was retired in 2014 after 16 years with the carrier. In 2019, MIAT announced new services to Shanghai and Guangzhou and plans to lease Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It also announced a Boeing 787-9 arrangement, but the pandemic disrupted the initial plan and led to a revised delivery schedule. The pandemic period changed MIAT’s operating pattern. On 21 June 2020, it operated a nonstop Boeing 767 flight from Ulaanbaatar to Seattle for repatriation and aid, and it later conducted comparable special flights to Sydney and Johannesburg. In October 2022, MIAT became the first airline to fly a Boeing 737 MAX into China after the type’s grounding there. From June 2023, the airline resumed domestic operations to seven new destinations while restoring Khovd and Mörön service. It used wet-leased aircraft to add capacity. Boeing 787 aircraft were announced for delivery in 2023 and 2024, with initial planned routes including Frankfurt, Istanbul and Seoul. In April 2024, MIAT received its first Bombardier CRJ700 for domestic services under the MIAT Regional brand, followed by a second aircraft. MIAT’s longer-term strategy is to use Mongolia’s position between Europe and Asia to attract connecting passengers through Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Its network strategy is supported by codeshare and interline relationships with airlines in China, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Europe and Southeast Asia. The airline remains a state-owned national carrier whose role extends beyond commercial air transport to national connectivity, tourism promotion and international representation.
- 2024
MIAT Regional receives CRJ700 aircraft
[1]The airline received its first Bombardier CRJ700 for domestic operations under the MIAT Regional branding, followed by a second aircraft.
- 2023
Domestic network restored and expanded
[1]MIAT resumed domestic flying to multiple destinations, including Khovd and Mörön, using additional leased capacity.
- 2020
First nonstop Mongolia–North America flight
[1]MIAT operated a Ulaanbaatar–Seattle repatriation and aid flight during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2014
Airbus A310 retired
[1]The A310 left the fleet after 16 years of service with MIAT.
- 2011
Boeing 767 and Hong Kong expansion
[1]MIAT leased Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and began regular flights to Hong Kong.
- 2008
Regular domestic operations end
[1]MIAT ended scheduled domestic flying, although limited domestic service was later restored temporarily.
- 2002
Boeing 737 era begins
[1]A leased Boeing 737 was introduced to replace the aging Boeing 727 fleet, while Tokyo service was added.
- 1998
First Airbus aircraft enters service
[1]A leased Airbus A310 became MIAT’s first Airbus aircraft.
- 1995
Seoul service launches
[1]MIAT expanded beyond its former Soviet and Chinese international network with regular flights to Seoul.
- 1993
Becomes an independent state-owned enterprise
[1]MIAT was reorganized as an independent enterprise owned by the Mongolian state.
Products and positioning
A national flag carrier providing Mongolia’s principal international air links while developing domestic connectivity and positioning Ulaanbaatar as a Europe–Asia transit gateway.
Passenger aviation · 1987
International scheduled passenger services
MIAT’s core international offering connects Mongolia with major destinations in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe. The network has included cities such as Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Frankfurt and Istanbul, supported by codeshare and interline relationships with partner airlines.
Passenger aviation · 1956
Domestic passenger services
Domestic operations historically connected Ulaanbaatar with a broad network of provincial and district airfields. After a period without regular domestic services, MIAT restored and expanded domestic flying from 2023, including routes to Khovd, Mörön and other Mongolian destinations.
Regional passenger aviation · 2024
MIAT Regional
MIAT Regional is the airline’s domestic regional concept, introduced with Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft. It is intended to provide additional capacity and more appropriately sized aircraft for domestic routes linking Ulaanbaatar with Mongolian regional destinations.
Special flight services
Charter and repatriation operations
In addition to scheduled flying, MIAT operates charter, repatriation and aid missions. During the COVID-19 pandemic these activities extended to long-distance special flights to Seattle, Sydney and Johannesburg, serving Mongolian citizens and humanitarian transport needs.
Air transport logistics · 1946
Air cargo and airmail transport
MIAT’s early civil aviation role included limited airmail services to remote parts of Mongolia. Cargo and mail have remained associated with its wider air transport operations, although the reference material does not provide a separate current cargo-product specification.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Years to Visit Mongolia domestic network program
Mongolia
MIAT restored domestic services and added destinations in alignment with Mongolia’s government tourism initiative for 2023–2025. The program connected the capital with additional regional destinations and supported tourism access within the country.
Outcome. Domestic operations resumed and the airline expanded service to Khovd, Mörön and other destinations.
Brand decisions
2023
Rebuild domestic connectivityStrategyBackground
The Mongolian government’s tourism program sought improved access to destinations across the country after the pandemic period.
Action taken
MIAT resumed domestic operations, added seven destinations and restored Khovd and Mörön service, using wet-leased aircraft for capacity.
Aftermath
The airline returned to a more balanced domestic and international role and later added CRJ700 aircraft for regional flying.
2020
Deploy aircraft for pandemic repatriation and aid missionsOtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need to transport Mongolian citizens and supplies across long distances.
Action taken
MIAT operated special flights, including a nonstop Ulaanbaatar–Seattle service and missions to Sydney and Johannesburg.
Aftermath
The missions demonstrated MIAT’s ability to operate beyond its normal scheduled network during a national emergency.
2019
Plan new Chinese routes and Boeing 737 MAX leasingProduct launchBackground
MIAT sought to replace aircraft with expiring leases and broaden its Chinese network.
Action taken
The airline announced Shanghai and Guangzhou services, plans to lease three Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and a self-check-in system.
Aftermath
The planned fleet and network development was affected by the 737 MAX grounding and the COVID-19 pandemic.
2011
Expand the Boeing 767 fleet through leasingGeneration changeBackground
MIAT needed additional long-haul capacity for international network growth.
Action taken
The airline agreed to lease two former China Eastern Airlines Boeing 767-300ER aircraft from Air Lease Corporation, entering service in 2011.
Aftermath
The aircraft supported long-haul expansion, including regular Hong Kong service, and reinforced MIAT’s move away from Soviet-era equipment.
2008
End regular domestic operationsStrategyBackground
MIAT was concentrating on international operations while its domestic network faced operational and commercial constraints.
Action taken
The airline ended scheduled domestic flights in July 2008, with limited service later restored temporarily.
Aftermath
MIAT remained primarily an international carrier for a period before rebuilding domestic services from 2023.
1993
Establish MIAT as an independent state-owned enterpriseStrategyBackground
Following Mongolia’s transition toward a market economy, the airline required a new organizational structure separate from the earlier civil aviation administration.
Action taken
MIAT was made an independent enterprise while remaining state-owned.
Aftermath
The change provided the organizational basis for later international expansion, commercial fleet leasing and cooperation with foreign airlines.
Recent events
- 2024
MIAT introduces Boeing 787 operations[1]
Product launch · Product generation
MIAT announced the arrival of Boeing 787 aircraft intended for routes including Frankfurt, Istanbul and Seoul.
- 2023
MIAT resumes domestic services and expands regional coverage[1]
Product launch
The airline restored scheduled domestic flying to Khovd and Mörön and introduced additional Mongolian destinations in support of the government’s tourism-development program.
- 2022
MIAT becomes first carrier to operate a Boeing 737 MAX into China after the grounding[1]
Other · Regulation
MIAT operated a Boeing 737 MAX flight into China in October 2022, after Chinese aviation authorities had grounded the type in 2019.
- 2020
MIAT operates first nonstop Mongolia–North America repatriation flight[1]
Other
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MIAT flew a Boeing 767-300ER nonstop between Ulaanbaatar and Seattle for repatriation and aid purposes, marking the first nonstop connection between Mongolia and North America.
Sources1 sources
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