MIAT Mongolian Airlines welcomes its first 787-9 Dreamliner in August 2023

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : MIAT

On 7 August 2023, MIAT Mongolian Airlines announces on its official web-site and Facebook that it is receiving its first 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in August 2023 while it will receive its second 787-9 Dreamliner in the first quarter of 2024. On its Instagram, the airline announces the date of aircraft reception is 10 August 2023.

In its press release, MIAT Mongolian Airlines states, "This is an important milestone for MIAT Mongolian Airlines aiming for an expansion after the Covid-19 lockdowns, during which the airline had downsized its fleet from 8 to 5 and is now in the process of expanding. "

MIAT plans to deploy the 787-9 Dreamliner initially on routes to Frankfurt, Istanbul and Incheon and an eventual operation to a city in the United States (U.S.). This motion comes after the recent resumption of MIAT domestic flights in the name of "MIAT Regional" with the CRJ200 aircraft in July 2023.

On 2 August 2023, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erden said at a meeting that the U.S. and Mongolia will sign an "open skies" civil aviation development agreement.

The report pointed out that Washington has signed "open skies" civil aviation agreements with more than 130 countries. They grant the airlines of the two countries the right to operate in each other's country, ease airline regulation and enforce safety and security standards.

The "open skies" agreement between the U.S. and Mongolia will build on a January memorandum of understanding on an air transport agreement.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines currently flies to Frankfurt and Istanbul in Europe and Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Beijing Capital, Incheon, Narita, Kansai in Asia, has seasonal flights to Suvarnabhumi and Phuket, charter flights to Changi, Hanoi and KLIA, but not to the United States, and the "open skies" agreement will also provide a more convenient option for cargo flights between the two countries.

In May 2023, the Mongolian national flag carrier announced in its new inflight magazine Mongolica that the airline plans to launch direct flights to Changi and Pudong from Chinggis Khaan International Airport / New Ulaanbaatar International Airport (UBN) with the 787-9 Dreamliner in 2024.