Mongolia

Asia

2Airlines
0Profiled Airports
2With ICAO
2With Callsign

Aviation History

Mongolia's civil aviation was built under Soviet influence, with MIAT established in 1956 as the country's national carrier to link landlocked Mongolia with Moscow and other communist-bloc capitals using Soviet-built aircraft. The end of one-party rule in 1990 opened the sector to gradual modernization, private domestic competitors such as Hunnu Air, and eventually Western aircraft, including MIAT's use of Boeing 737 MAX jets on one of the world's longest narrow-body routes, to Frankfurt. The 2021 opening of the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport outside Ulaanbaatar replaced the aging Soviet-era facility and marked a major leap in the country's aviation infrastructure.

MIAT operates one of the world's longest narrow-body routes, using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft nonstop between Ulaanbaatar and Frankfurt.
Mongolia's new Chinggis Khaan International Airport, opened in 2021, replaced a Soviet-era airport that had served the capital since the 1950s.
1956
MIAT established

MIAT (Mongolian Civil Air Transport) is established as Mongolia's national carrier, succeeding an earlier Soviet-Mongolian joint air transport venture and operating with Soviet aircraft.

1990
Democratic transition opens the sector

The end of one-party communist rule opens the door for MIAT to gradually modernize and pursue new international partnerships and aircraft.

2003
First private domestic carrier

Hunnu Air is founded as Mongolia's first private airline, introducing domestic competition to state-owned MIAT.

2019
Ultra-long-haul narrow-body service

MIAT begins operating Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on its Ulaanbaatar–Frankfurt route, one of the longest narrow-body routes in the world.

2021
New Chinggis Khaan International Airport opens

A new international airport opens outside Ulaanbaatar, replacing the ageing Soviet-era airport that had served the capital since the 1950s.

Notable Carriers

MIAT Mongolian Airlines · Hunnu Air · Aero Mongolia

Wikipedia, MIAT corporate history, aviation industry press

Airlines2