Mongolia’s flag carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines seems to be in the process of preparing to launch passenger flights to the United States. This month, the airline filed a document with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to get this service started.
Is MIAT coming to the United States?
This week, Ishrion Aviation tweeted that MIAT Mongolian Airlines appeared to move closer to its plans to launch flights from Ulaanbaatar International Airport (UBN) to the United States. The flag carrier would most likely use its future Boeing 787-9 aircraft to operate these possible future new routes.
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The process is still in an early stage. Before MIAT can launch flights to the United States, the Mongolian and US governments must finalize an Air Transport Agreement. Last month, both parties signed a Memorandum of Consultation (MOC), finalizing the first bilateral air transport agreement negotiated by the two countries.
This MOC acknowledged that the aeronautical authorities of the countries intend to apply the agreement on the basis of comity and reciprocity pending its entry of force, said the US Department of State in a statement.
The agreement includes unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, and open codesharing opportunities.
MIAT’s plans date back to 2019
MIAT Mongolian Airlines first announced its intentions to launch flights to the United States in 2019. The carrier would be able to operate flights directly to the United States with its future Boeing 787 Dreamliner 9 aircraft. This plane, registration JU-1789 has not yet been delivered, according to data from ch-aviation. It is estimated the airline will receive its widebody this June.
One Mile At A Time reports that the leading theory is that MIAT would operate between Ulaanbaatar and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This is a 6,148-mile journey (nearly 9,900 kilometers, well within the range of the Dreamliner).
This would not be MIAT’s first-ever flight to the United States if launched. In 2020, the carrier operated an only-cargo flight from Ulaanbaatar to the US to deliver 60,000 items of personal protective equipment to the Navajo Nation indigenous community.
MIAT currently serves nine international destinations, including two long-haul route services to Frankfurt (FRA) and Istanbul (IST). It also flies to Phuket, Bangkok, Tokyo-Narita, Hong Kong, Busan, Seoul Incheon, and Beijing.
MIAT’s fleet and recent developments
The Mongolian flag carrier currently has a fleet composed of six aircraft. MIAT operates one Boeing 737 MAX 8, three Boeing 737-800s, one 757-200(PCF) for cargo operations, and one 767-300(ER).
Earlier this year, MIAT launched a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. This agreement would help both carriers leverage their respective networks, maximizing opportunities for travelers that get more flexibility of choice to fly on sectors between Turkey, Mongolia, and beyond.
MIAT Mongolian Airlines’ CEO, Mr Munhktamir, stated,
“This is an important milestone in the cooperation of both companies. The agreement will enable the customers of both airlines with greater choice and connectivity. Turkish Airlines is an important airline globally with a wide network, and cooperation with such an elite airline is a great privilege for us.”
Would you like to be onboard a MIAT Mongolian Airlines flight between Mongolia and the United States? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Ishrion Aviation, ch-aviation, One Mile At A Time.