Airline overview
MIAT Mongolian Airlines is Mongolia's national flag carrier. Its civil aviation roots go back to the civil aviation department set up in 1956, and on 7 July 1956 it opened the Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk scheduled service with An-2 aircraft, the start of regular operations. In 1993 the Mongolian parliament adopted a national civil aviation policy that formally established MIAT as the flag carrier. Its IATA code is OM, ICAO code MGL and website miat.com, where schedules and cargo product information are published and the latest version governs.
The head office is in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, and the operating base is Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN, the new Ulaanbaatar airport), with scheduled routes to 8 major domestic airports. It is a state-owned enterprise covering passenger and cargo transport, engineering maintenance and ground agency work, holds IOSA operational safety and ISAGO ground handling safety audits, and runs the Blue Sky Mongolia frequent flyer program, with more than 900 employees and internationally certified flight and engineering teams.
For Chinese shippers MIAT is one of the most direct carriers between China and Mongolia. It currently operates scheduled nonstop flights to Ulaanbaatar from 3 Chinese gateways, Beijing, Shanghai and Hohhot, and has 1 dedicated Boeing 757-200F, so Chinese export cargo can reach the Mongolian market quickly on the nonstop.
Mongolia is landlocked and depends heavily on air and land border corridors for trade. As the flag carrier, MIAT carries the backbone of Mongolia's links with Northeast Asia and Europe. Its dense opening of China nonstops over the past 5 years reflects growing China-Mongolia trade and gives Chinese exports a shorter, steadier air corridor.
Timeline
Since opening scheduled flights in 1956 MIAT has grown from a regional operator into Mongolia's flag carrier, and its China network thickened markedly in 2025.
Fleet and cargo capability
The MIAT fleet combines long-haul widebodies, narrowbody mainline aircraft, regional aircraft and a dedicated freighter. Nonstop capacity to China comes mainly from the Boeing 737 family and Bombardier regional aircraft, while widebodies fly long-haul European routes.
| Aircraft type | Number and role | Freight mode | Suitable China cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-9 | 2 aircraft, flying long-haul European routes | Widebody passenger belly, high long-haul volume | European transit cargo, and onward carriage of Mongolian exports |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 1 aircraft, regional long-haul routes | Widebody belly capacity | Regional transit and high-value cargo |
| Boeing 737-800 / 737 MAX 8 | Several aircraft, flying the Beijing, Shanghai and other China nonstops | Narrowbody passenger belly cargo | The mainstay of the China nonstops, carrying Chinese general cargo and e-commerce freight |
| Bombardier CRJ-700 | Regional fleet, flying Hohhot and other regional routes | Regional passenger belly capacity | Regional cargo from the Hohhot gateway to Ulaanbaatar |
| Boeing 757-200F | 1 dedicated freighter | A dedicated cargo type with a full main-deck load | Bulk and urgent cargo between China and Mongolia |
The Boeing 757-200F is the only dedicated freighter in the MIAT fleet, registration JU1109, complementing passenger belly capacity. Chinese bulk and urgent cargo can choose between belly and freighter space by transit requirement and volume. The airline holds ISAGO cargo safety certification and its ground handling meets international cargo standards.
Nonstop routes to China
2025 was the year MIAT's China network thickened markedly. It now operates scheduled nonstops to Ulaanbaatar from 3 Chinese gateways, forming two corridors, North China and East China.
Beijing PEK to Ulaanbaatar UBN
Flight OM223 / OM224, one a day, nonstop from Beijing Capital to Chinggis Khaan International, about 2 hours. Beijing is the densest nonstop channel between China and Mongolia.
Shanghai PVG to Ulaanbaatar UBN
Opened on 3 July 2025, twice a week, mixed passenger and cargo. East China cargo flies nonstop from Shanghai to Ulaanbaatar, with capacity approved at two flights a week by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Hohhot HET to Ulaanbaatar UBN
Opened on 6 June 2025, flight OM257, flown by Bombardier CRJ700 three times a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, a convenient corridor from the Inner Mongolia gateway into Mongolia.
Transit handling at the Ulaanbaatar hub
Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) lies southwest of Ulaanbaatar and is Mongolia's largest air hub and MIAT's operating base. The airline's cargo terminal handles receipt, customs-bonded storage and domestic distribution of Chinese export cargo. The airline holds ISAGO ground handling safety certification and its agency processes meet international standards, so Chinese cargo clears quickly on arrival.
Domestic connections in Mongolia
MIAT operates scheduled routes to 8 major domestic airports. After clearance in Ulaanbaatar, Chinese export cargo can connect to domestic flights for Mongolia's provincial capitals. With a vast territory and sparse population, air service is an important link between provinces, and Chinese consumer and construction goods reach the national market through Ulaanbaatar.
Onward connections to neighbouring markets
Ulaanbaatar also connects to Irkutsk in Russia and other nearby points. Through the MIAT network Chinese cargo can extend into the Russian Far East and Siberian interline market. Final delivery in Mongolia is handled by local ground agents in Ulaanbaatar, and through us shippers can arrange receipt from the Chinese gateway to the Mongolian destination through a single provider.
The steppe arc network
The diagram shows Chinese export cargo departing the three nonstop gateways at Beijing, Shanghai and Hohhot and converging on the Ulaanbaatar hub, drawn as a steppe arc.
Cargo types exported from China to Mongolia
China-Mongolia trade keeps growing and China is an important source of Mongolian imports. Chinese cargo carried on the MIAT nonstop network concentrates in the following categories.
Consumer goods and e-commerce cargo
Apparel, footwear, household goods, homewares and consumer electronics are the traditional mainstay of Chinese exports to Mongolia and suit bulk belly shipments on the Beijing narrowbody nonstop.
Building materials and project supplies
Mongolian mining and infrastructure work drives Chinese demand for building materials, hardware and machinery parts, and bulk cargo can use Boeing 757-200F freighter space.
Mechanical and electrical products and parts
Small machinery, communications equipment and auto parts serve Mongolia's urban consumer and mining markets, and high-value cargo benefits from the nonstop's transit advantage.
Urgent and fresh cargo
Mongolia's geography is deep, and urgent spares and temperature-controlled cargo are time-critical; the daily Beijing nonstop gives time-sensitive freight steady capacity.
Signature cargo products
MIAT's cargo products cover general cargo, urgent shipments, high-value cargo and perishables. Urgent Chinese spares can reach Ulaanbaatar quickly on the daily Beijing nonstop, and high-value cargo gets priority space and full AWB tracking. The freighter suits bulk project supplies and large consignments.
Passenger belly products
The belly holds of the Boeing 737 family and Bombardier regional aircraft carry Chinese general cargo, e-commerce freight and small urgent shipments. The daily Beijing belly suits time-sensitive loose cargo, while Shanghai and Hohhot belly capacity serves East China and Inner Mongolia gateways.
Freighter products
The Boeing 757-200F freighter carries bulk cargo, with far more hold capacity than a narrowbody belly. Chinese building materials, hardware and project supplies suit freighter shipment, and we can arrange freighter space according to volume.
The advantages of the China-Mongolia nonstop channel
Nonstop, no transhipment, short transit
Beijing, Shanghai and Hohhot fly nonstop to Ulaanbaatar with no third-country transit, so Chinese export cargo loads the same day and arrives at the Mongolian destination the next day, clearly faster than a connecting routing.
Belly and freighter capacity together
The airline has both daily belly capacity and 1 dedicated Boeing 757-200F, so shippers can choose between the two by volume and transit requirement.
North and East China gateways
The daily Beijing service covers North China gateways, Shanghai twice a week covers East China and Hohhot three times a week serves Inner Mongolia and nearby gateways, so all major Chinese export regions have a nonstop.
Booking path from China
Chinese shippers using the MIAT nonstop to Mongolia can complete the whole arrangement in three steps.
Booking options from China to Ulaanbaatar
Daily nonstop from Beijing, twice a week from Shanghai and three times a week from Hohhot, with belly and 757 freighter capacity, clearing and distributing into the Mongolian market after arrival at UBN.
Confirm commodity, weight, volume and preferred gateway, along with any temperature-control, dangerous goods or urgent requirements.
We match the cargo to the nonstop from Beijing, Shanghai or Hohhot and secure belly or 757 freighter space.
Cargo is handed over and declared at the Chinese gateway, clears after the nonstop to Ulaanbaatar, and the local agent completes final distribution in Mongolia, with the AWB trackable throughout.
China-Mongolia trade is dominated by Chinese manufactured goods, consumer products and project supplies, and the Mongolian market remains heavily dependent on Chinese sourcing. The daily Beijing nonstop provides steady capacity for North China exports, Shanghai and Hohhot cover East China and Inner Mongolia, and we can arrange the nearest gateway to the shipper.
Our capability on Mongolia
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited has long handled air freight from China to Mongolia. For this lane we offer the following services directly usable by Chinese shippers.
Consolidation at China ports and export customs declaration
Chinese shippers can hand over at Beijing, Shanghai, Hohhot and nearby gateways, with us handling consolidation, export declaration and booking on MIAT nonstops. North China cargo goes on the daily Beijing service, East China on Shanghai and Inner Mongolia on Hohhot.
Comparing capacity options
We compare belly and Boeing 757-200F capacity by volume and transit requirement. Bulk project supplies go on the freighter, loose general and e-commerce cargo in the belly, and long-term customers can sign annual agreements to lock space and rates.
Dangerous goods and compliance pre-check
Mongolia applies market-access controls to some imports. Before booking we help Chinese shippers confirm the certification and permits Mongolian import requires, so cargo is not returned for incomplete documents. Cargo containing lithium batteries is assessed under IATA packing rules in advance, and temperature-controlled shipments in winter have hold protection confirmed early.
Arrival tracking and Mongolian distribution
Once cargo leaves the Chinese gateway we track the AWB throughout. After arrival at Ulaanbaatar we help arrange clearance and final distribution to major Mongolian cities, covering Ulaanbaatar and provincial capitals. If a carrier schedule changes we tell the shipper at once and adjust the plan.
Documentation and customs requirements
Chinese exports to Mongolia need a commercial invoice, packing list and air waybill, with the invoice consistent with the packing list. Mongolian customs requires declaration of imports and some industrial goods and food must meet local market-access rules, so Chinese exporters should confirm the import documents before shipping. Lithium battery products must be packed and declared under IATA dangerous goods rules.
Mongolian winters are severely cold and some holds are temperature-sensitive in low conditions. Chinese temperature-controlled and fresh cargo must be declared at booking so the carrier can confirm hold conditions and ground handling. For Chinese exporters supplying Mongolia regularly we can sign annual cargo agreements to lock steady space and rates on the daily Beijing nonstop. Actual schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking. The three nonstops complement each other, so shippers can combine gateways and capacity types flexibly.
Chinese shippers can choose between the daily Beijing nonstop, Shanghai twice a week and Hohhot three times a week according to destination and transit requirement. We provide consolidation at the Chinese gateway, export declaration, nonstop booking and full tracking through Ulaanbaatar clearance and Mongolian distribution, so the shipper does not have to engage a local Mongolian agent.
MIAT hubs at Ulaanbaatar, and Chinese cargo connects by road at Erenhot or Beijing and flies nonstop to Ulaanbaatar before distribution to Mongolian provinces and cities. We have long handled this lane and can provide Chinese exporters with full booking and tracking from China to Mongolia.
MIAT's cargo product is passenger belly capacity, and Chinese high-value and urgent cargo suits the nonstop to Ulaanbaatar. We match space to the transit requirement, and long-term customers can sign annual agreements to hold peak-season space.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does MIAT Mongolian Airlines currently fly nonstop to China?
Yes. It currently flies one a day nonstop from Beijing Capital to Ulaanbaatar, twice a week from Shanghai and three times a week from Hohhot, all three gateways operating mixed passenger and cargo.
Does MIAT have a dedicated freighter?
Yes. The fleet includes 1 Boeing 757-200F dedicated freighter that complements passenger belly capacity, and bulk or urgent cargo can book freighter space.
Which Chinese gateways fly nonstop to Ulaanbaatar?
Beijing Capital one a day nonstop, Shanghai Pudong twice a week nonstop and Hohhot three times a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. No public source shows a nonstop from Tianjin.
How long does Beijing to Ulaanbaatar take in total?
The nonstop from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar is about 2 hours; with consolidation and export declaration at the Chinese gateway the total is usually two to 4 days, subject to the plan confirmed on the day of booking.
What cargo suits MIAT?
Consumer goods, e-commerce freight, building and project supplies, machinery parts and urgent shipments. Bulk cargo can use the 757 freighter and loose cargo the passenger belly.
When did the Shanghai to Ulaanbaatar nonstop open?
On 3 July 2025, twice a week, as a mixed passenger and cargo service, with capacity approved at two flights a week by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
How many flights a week from Hohhot to Ulaanbaatar?
Opened on 6 June 2025, flight OM257, flown by Bombardier CRJ700, one each on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, three a week.
What is the MIAT website?
The website is miat.com, where schedules and cargo information are published. Chinese shippers can also get current rates, capacity and handling guidance from us.
Disclaimer
The information here is for reference only and does not form a transport contract or commercial commitment. MIAT's schedules, fleet and cargo capability may change with commercial decisions and seasonal programs without notice; flight times are local, and actual schedules and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight from China to Mongolia, or for booking assistance, contact Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) at goodhope86.com.
Trademark notice
MIAT Mongolian Airlines and the related marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of MIAT Mongolian Airlines LLC. The names are used for identification and description only and do not imply any agency, partnership or affiliation between Goodhope Freight and MIAT. Other airline names and marks mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners.