MIAT Mongolian Airlines

MIAT Mongolian Airlines

IATA OM ICAO MGL Callsign MONGOL AIR
Founded	1954
Hubs	Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN)
Frequent-flyer program	Blue Sky Mongolia
Fleet size	5 (+3 orders)
Destinations	8
Headquarters	Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Key people	Gungaagiin Jargalsaikhan (CEO)
Website	www.miat.com

For the airline once known as "Mongolian Airlines", see Hunnu Air

MIAT Mongolian Airlines (Mongolian: Монголын Иргэний Агаарын Тээвэр, Mongolyn Irgenii Agaaryn Teever (MIAT), Mongolian Civil Air Transport) is Mongolia's national airline, headquartered in the MIAT Building in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The airline operates international scheduled services from its base at Chinggis Khaan International Airport near Ulaanbaatar.

History

Communist Era

MIAT Mongolian Airlines was formed in 1956. It began operations with the help of Aeroflot and began flights on 7 July 1956 using an Antonov An-2 from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk. The airline also used Soviet-built Lisunov Li-2s for flights to international destinations like Beijing and Moscow. During the 1960s and 1970s the airline obtained Antonov An-24 and An-26 twin turboprops. Tupolev Tu-154 jets were introduced in the late 1970s.

After Democratic Revolution

A MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 767-300 at Berlin Tegel Airport (2011).

In 1992, MIAT bought five Chinese Harbin Y-12 commuter aircraft and acquired a Boeing 727-200 from Korean Air, one more following in 1994. An Airbus A310 was leased in 1998, and a new Boeing 737 was leased in 2003 to replace the aging 727-200 fleet. Starting from 2003 until 2008, MIAT's An-24 and An-26 fleet was gradually retired. In April 2008, MIAT received its second Boeing 737-800 aircraft on lease from CIT Aerospace. In July 2008, MIAT ended scheduled domestic flights completely. In June 2009, the airline temporarily resumed scheduled domestic flights to Mörön and Khovd using its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

In late 2009, MIAT flew charter flights to Hong Kong and Sanya, a popular resort city in Hainan. In June 2010, the airline's flights were brought to a halt due to a mechanics' strike. However, the situation was resolved with the replacement of the CEO and Technical Director.

In early 2011, MIAT signed an agreement with Air Lease to lease two former China Eastern Boeing 767-300ERs until 2013. The first aircraft entered service in May 2011 with the second following in November 2011. In 2011 the Airbus A310 was retired after serving MIAT Mongolian Airlines for 13 years.

Boeing 737-800 at Chinggis Khaan International Airport

In June 2011, MIAT began regular flights to Hong Kong. The company also ordered three aircraft, a Boeing 767-300ER and two Boeing 737-800s, to be delivered in 2013 and 2016 respectively. The order marks the first time in two decades that MIAT has chosen to expand its fleet by purchasing new aircraft straight from the manufacturer rather than leasing them. On 25 February 2013 the airline officially obtained National Air Flag Carrier status. In same year, the airline has also been awarded 3-star airline level by Skytrax.

Destinations

Main article: MIAT Mongolian Airlines destinations

Codeshare agreements

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has the following codeshares (as of December 2012):

• Aeroflot (SkyTeam)
• Korean Air (SkyTeam)

Fleet

A MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 767-300ER on short final to Sheremetyevo Airport in 2012.

A MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 737-800 just after pushback at Berlin Tegel Airport, Germany. (2008)

A Mongolian Airlines Boeing 727 in old livery.

As of December 2012, the MIAT Mongolian Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 14.3 years:

MIAT Mongolian Airlines Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Passengers			Routes	Notes
			C	Y	Total
Boeing 737-800	2	3	12	150	162	Mainly in Asian routes, less in European routes. Formerly also used in domestic flights	Deliveries in 2014 and 2016
			12	162	174
Boeing 767-300ER	3	0	18	245	263	Asia, Europe	two leased and one purchased
Total	5	3

Previously Operated

A MIAT Mongolian Airlines Antonov An-26, now retired, parked at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Mongolia. (2007)

MIAT Mongolian Airlines' Airbus A310-300 taxiing at Berlin Tegel Airport, Germany. (2008)

MIAT has operated a variety of aircraft types, including:

• Airbus A310-300 retired in 2011, and transferred to the Mongolian Armed Forces
• Airbus A330-343X (leased from Saga Airlines for the summer of 2010)
• Antonov An-2 (a.k.a. Tsartsaa Nogoon Ongots or "green grasshopper plane" among Mongols) retired in 1995
• Antonov An-24 (a.k.a. Tsagaan Ongots or "white plane" among Mongols ) retired in 2003,
• Antonov An-26 retired in 2008,
• Antonov An-30 retired in 1995,
• Boeing 727-200 retired in 2003
• Harbin Y-12 dismissed in 2002 due to safety concerns
• Ilyushin Il-14 retired in 1974
• Kamov Ka-26 retired in 1990s
• Mil Mi-4 retired in 1980s
• Mil Mi-8 retired in 2000, transferred to the Tengeriin ulaach co.ltd
• Polikarpov Po-2 retired in late 1950s
• Tupolev Tu-154 returned to Aeroflot in 1995 after leasing expire
• Yakovlev Yak-12

Accidents and incidents

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has suffered the following incidents and accidents since commencing operations:

• On 4 August 1963, an Ilyushin Il-14 crashed into the side of Mount Otgon Tenger in Mongolia killing all on board.
• On 17 September 1973, an Antonov An-24B crashed into the side of a mountain in the Hovd Province of Mongolia during approach, killing all on board.
• On 26 January 1990, an Antonov 24RV crashed into terrain near Zavkhan, Mongolia at night. All 30 passengers and crew died.
• On 23 April 1993, an Antonov An-26 flying from Buyant Ukhaa Airport, Ulan Bator crashed into the side of Marz Mountain during descent into Ölgii Airport, Mongolia. All 32 passengers and crew died.
• On 21 September 1995, an Antonov An-24RV flying from Buyant Ukhaa Airport, Ulan Bator crashed into a mountain during approach into Mörön Airport, Mongolia. 36 out of 37 passengers and crew died.
• On 10 June 1997, a Harbin Y-12 crashed after encountering windshear whilst landing at Mandalgobi Airport, Mongolia. 7 out of 12 passengers and crew members died.
• On 26 May 1998, a Harbin Y-12 crashed into a mountain near Erdenet, Mongolia shortly after departure from Erdenet Airport. All 28 passengers and crew died, 12 passengers were children and 14 were adults.

See also

• Mongolian People's Air Force
• Mongolian Air Force

External links

• Official website
• Air Mongolia – the “do it yourself” airline. WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable:88BEIJING25961. 
  In 1988, staff of the United States’ embassy in Beijing encounter difficulties when they try to use the new connection between Beijing and Ulan Bator.