MIAT-Mongolian Airlines has selected the Boeing 737-800 over the rival Airbus A320 for a long-delayed fleet upgrade.
The carrier confirms it will initially lease one 737-800 from GATX Financial for service entry in July to serve China, Japan and South Korea (Flight International, 1-7 January). It plans to add a second of the type from around 2005.
MIAT will use the new aircraft on international routes, replacing two Boeing 727-200Advs, which are around 30 years old. The carrier's only other aircraft used on international routes is an A310-300 leased from Airbus.
MIAT has been considering a fleet modernisation for years - but it has been repeatedly deferred because of financial difficulties.
The Mongolian government decided a year ago that MIAT should be partially privatised, and tentative plans call for new investors to be brought in by the second half of next year.
Source: Flight International
