MIAT – Mongolian Airlines  is planning to launch B737-8 operations in July 2022, more than three years after the delivery of the only unit of the type, but will only proffer it to the ACMI market for the time being.

Broker Zela Aviation said EI-MNG  would be available for long-term wet-lease deals. The aircraft is configured for up to 162 passengers, including 12 in business class.

MIAT took delivery of the aircraft on March 10, 2019, a few days before the type was grounded globally. Even though the B737 MAX was cleared to fly in the United States in late 2020 and subsequently in most other countries, Mongolia’s only two neighbours, China and Russia, have yet to permit its operations.

As such, MIAT cannot operate the aircraft commercially on international routes. Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows it operated a single technical flight in March 2022. Since then, EI-MNG has been stored at Uléi. It is owned by Avolon, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows.

The Mongolian flag carrier also operates three B737-800s and a single B767-300(ER). The B767 is also available for long-term wet-lease commitments through Zela Aviation, while one of the B737s will become available starting with the Winter 2022 season.

Separately, the Mongolian Government has decided to provide USD 46mn in soft loans to MIAT in order supporting the airlines to attract tourists.