Mongolian Airways to reignite cargo service with 737-300F

Mongolian Airways will finally be able to reestablish its freighter operations after taking delivery of another 737-300BDSF.

The 1991-vintage unit 25174 (ex-China Postal Airlines), which Mongolian acquired in 2019 along with its sister ship (25173), was stranded in China due to the country’s zero-Covid policy and restrictions, the carrier told Cargo Facts, adding that it now expects to be able to take delivery of the aircraft “very soon.”

Unit 25174, which has been in Shanghai (SHA) since June 2019, will be the only active freighter in Mongolian’s fleet, after unit 25173 was acquired by Xtreme Holdings for Kalitta Charters II in October 2022.

Mongolian Airways acquired its first 737-300BDSF in 2019 and had intended to operate up to three 737-300 freighters. That first aircraft (25172, also ex-China Postal) touched down at Ulaanbaatar (ULN) in July that year to begin air cargo service. The airline also added a passenger 737-300 (24328, ex-Belavia) with potential plans to convert it to a freighter but did not retain the aircraft.

Mongolian suspended all freighter operations by late 2019.

The airline recently took delivery in late 2022 of an A320-200 and A330-300 for passenger operations as it begins to execute its post-pandemic plans.

As Mongolian Airways starts afresh with another 737 Classic freighter, the young carrier will join the list of Asian operators such as Cardig Air, My Indo Airlines, Black Stone Airlines and Rimbun Air that continue to express confidence in operating the seasoned narrowbody workhorse.

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