On 10 October 2022, MIAT Mongolian Airlines became the first airline to operate a 737 MAX passenger flight in China since March 2019. The flight from Ulaanbaatar to Guangzhou was operated by EI-MNG, the airline’s only 737 MAX. Domestic Chinese airlines have not yet been cleared to resume 737 MAX service.
Ulaanbaatar — Guangzhou
MIAT Mongolian Airlines recently resumed regular flights between Ulaanbaatar and Guangzhou in September with thrice-weekly service. Flights throughout September were operated by one of the airlines’ three 737-800s.
The introduction of the 737 MAX on the route between Mongolia and China marks the first 737 MAX passenger flight by any airline in China since the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) grounded all MAX aircraft in March 2019 following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. The CAAC has issued airworthiness directives for the MAX’s return to service there, but has not given final sign off to Chinese airlines on resuming passenger flights.
MIAT Mongolian Airlines’ 737 MAX
MIAT Mongolian Airlines originally ordered two 737-8 MAX and took delivery of EI-MNG in March 2019, just days before the aircraft type was grounded worldwide. After sitting in storage for more than three years, Mongolian offered the aircraft for wet lease.
From mid-August through September of this year, Mongolian operated the aircraft for Tunisair on routes from Tunis to cities in northern Africa and Europe. In addition to being the 737 MAX passenger service in China, the flight was also Mongolian’s first MAX service with its own customers onboard.
