Hunnu Air

Hunnu Air is a Mongolian passenger airline headquartered in Ulaanbaatar. It began scheduled operations in 2011 under the name Mongolian Airlines, a name that soon created confusion with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Mongolia's established international flag carrier. In April 2013, the company adopted the Hunnu Air name to distinguish itself from MIAT and to reference the Hunnu, or Xiongnu, historical name associated with Mongolia. Its brand slogan is "Wings of Mongolia." The airline emerged from the acquisition of Monnis Air Services and initially inherited a small fleet that included Antonov An-2 aircraft. It purchased two Fokker 50 turboprops in 2011 and operated its first scheduled domestic service from Ulaanbaatar to Bayankhongor on 2 January 2012. The domestic network subsequently expanded to destinations including Mörön, Choibalsan, Khovd and Dalanzadgad. These services positioned Hunnu Air as a regional carrier connecting Mongolia's capital with provincial centers and remote markets where turboprop aircraft were suitable for shorter routes. Hunnu Air also pursued international growth. Two Airbus A319 aircraft were delivered in January 2012, enabling the airline to introduce services to Tokyo and later to Bangkok, Shanghai and Hong Kong. In addition to scheduled operations, the carrier operated charter flights to destinations such as Jeju, Hainan and Shizuoka. In the summer of 2014, it introduced a direct Ulaanbaatar–Paris service with one technical stop, representing an attempt to extend its network beyond its core Northeast Asian market. A proposed Airbus A330 acquisition and planned 2015 long-haul services, including Singapore, did not proceed after the airline encountered financial difficulties. The two A319s were repossessed by their owner in late 2014. The airline's subsequent fleet strategy returned toward smaller regional aircraft. A third Fokker 50 was acquired in July 2013, while ATR aircraft were also used at different points in the company's history. Hunnu Air acquired an Embraer 190 in 2019 and a second Embraer 190 in 2023. The newer aircraft gave the airline additional capacity and operational flexibility for domestic and regional routes. In 2025, the airline announced plans to add two Embraer 195-E2 aircraft from April, although the announcement itself does not establish that all planned deliveries were completed. The COVID-19 pandemic brought Hunnu Air's normal operations to a standstill. During that period, the airline operated special-duty passenger flights to cities facing difficult travel conditions, helping maintain a limited air-service role despite the disruption. As travel recovered, the addition of a second Embraer 190 in 2023 supported the possibility of restoring or broadening the carrier's network. Hunnu Air also maintains interline agreements with MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Hahn Air. Its business remains centered on scheduled passenger services, domestic connectivity, selected international routes and charter operations.

Hunnu Air was established in 2011 after the acquisition of Monnis Air Services by interests associated with Mongolyn Alt MAK LLC and Bodi Group. The new airline initially operated as Mongolian Airlines and inherited Antonov An-2 aircraft from the acquired business. It purchased two Fokker 50 aircraft during 2011 and began scheduled passenger operations on 2 January 2012, flying from Ulaanbaatar to Bayankhongor. The company expanded its domestic network from the capital to several Mongolian provincial destinations, including Mörön, Choibalsan, Khovd and Dalanzadgad. Its use of turboprops reflected the requirements of a relatively small domestic market spread across a large territory. The airline's early ambitions were not limited to domestic flying. Two Airbus A319 aircraft were delivered in January 2012, allowing the carrier to start international services to Tokyo and later to Bangkok, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Hunnu Air also undertook charter operations to destinations including Jeju, Hainan and Shizuoka. The original name quickly became problematic because it resembled the name of MIAT Mongolian Airlines. The resulting confusion led to the possibility of a legal dispute and potential government intervention. In April 2013, the airline adopted the name Hunnu Air. The new name refers to the Hunnu, the Mongolian spelling associated with the Xiongnu, and was intended to establish a clearer independent identity. In July of the same year, the carrier acquired a third Fokker 50. Hunnu Air made a further attempt to broaden its international profile in 2014 by operating a summer Ulaanbaatar–Paris service with one technical stop. It considered acquiring an Airbus A330 and relaunching long-haul services in 2015, including a proposed Singapore route. Those plans were not realized after the airline entered a financial crisis, and both leased Airbus A319 aircraft were repossessed by their owner in late 2014. The carrier subsequently operated a more regionally focused fleet, with Fokker 50 and ATR aircraft among the types used during different periods. The airline acquired an Embraer 190 in 2019 and a second aircraft of the same type in 2023. These regional jets created additional opportunities for network development and helped support the post-pandemic recovery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hunnu Air's ordinary operations were brought to a standstill. It nevertheless operated special-duty passenger flights to cities facing difficult conditions, preserving a limited transport function during the disruption. In 2025, Hunnu Air announced plans to add two Embraer 195-E2 aircraft beginning in April. The carrier's continuing model combines domestic scheduled service, selected international passenger routes, charter flying and cooperation through interline agreements with MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Hahn Air. Its history reflects the challenges of building a Mongolian airline: a geographically dispersed domestic market, dependence on suitable regional aircraft, competition and naming issues in a small aviation sector, and the financial demands of international expansion.

• 2025

  Embraer 195-E2 addition announced

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  Hunnu Air announced plans to add two Embraer 195-E2 aircraft from April 2025.

• 2023

  Second Embraer 190 acquired

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  A second Embraer 190 expanded the airline's post-pandemic fleet and potential route network.

• 2019

  First Embraer 190 acquired

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline acquired an Embraer 190 for regional operations.

• 2017

  ATR 72 engine incident

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  An ATR 72 suffered an in-flight left-engine parameter loss and landed safely at Murun Airport after the crew shut down the affected engine.

• 2014

  Seasonal Paris service introduced

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  The carrier operated a summer service from Ulaanbaatar to Paris with one technical stop.

• 2014

  A319 aircraft repossessed

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  Both Airbus A319 aircraft were repossessed by their owner late in the year after planned long-haul expansion failed to materialize.

• 2013

  Rebranded as Hunnu Air

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  The company changed its name from Mongolian Airlines Group to Hunnu Air in April to avoid confusion with MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

• 2013

  Third Fokker 50 acquired

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  Hunnu Air added a third Fokker 50 in July, strengthening its turboprop capacity.

• 2012

  First scheduled domestic flight

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  Hunnu Air began scheduled domestic operations from Ulaanbaatar to Bayankhongor on 2 January.

• 2012

  International expansion begins

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  Delivery of two Airbus A319 aircraft enabled the airline to launch international services, initially including Tokyo and subsequently other Asian destinations.

• 2011

  Company launched under the Mongolian Airlines name

  [1]Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline was launched on 2 December 2011 following the acquisition of Monnis Air Services and acquired two Fokker 50 aircraft during the year.

A Mongolian regional carrier focused on domestic connectivity, selected international routes and charter services, with a brand identity built around national aviation and the slogan "Wings of Mongolia."

• Passenger air transport · 2012

  Scheduled domestic passenger services

  Hunnu Air's domestic business connects Ulaanbaatar with Mongolian provincial and regional destinations. Routes described for the airline include Bayankhongor, Mörön, Choibalsan, Khovd and Dalanzadgad. These services form the carrier's core national-connectivity offering and have historically relied on aircraft suited to relatively short regional sectors.

• International passenger air transport · 2012

  Scheduled international passenger services

  The airline has operated international services from Ulaanbaatar to destinations including Tokyo, Bangkok, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Its international network has changed over time according to fleet availability and commercial conditions, with the carrier remaining focused primarily on regional markets in East Asia.

• Charter aviation

  Passenger charter flights

  Hunnu Air has operated charter passenger flights to destinations such as Jeju, Hainan and Shizuoka. Charter flying complements its scheduled network and allows the airline to serve seasonal or specially arranged international travel demand.

• Regional passenger aviation · 2019

  Regional jet services

  Embraer 190 aircraft acquired in 2019 and 2023 form part of Hunnu Air's regional-jet strategy. The type provides more capacity and range than the carrier's earlier turboprop aircraft while remaining suited to domestic and nearby international routes. Two Embraer 195-E2 aircraft were announced for planned addition from April 2025.

• 2025

  Planned Embraer 195-E2 fleet additionProduct launch

  Background

  Following the acquisition of two Embraer 190 aircraft, the airline announced a further expansion of its regional-jet capability.

  Action taken

  Hunnu Air announced that two Embraer 195-E2 aircraft would be added from April 2025.

  Source

• 2019

  Move toward Embraer regional jetsGeneration change

  Background

  The airline needed a fleet suitable for domestic and regional growth after earlier widebody and Airbus expansion plans were abandoned.

  Action taken

  Hunnu Air acquired an Embraer 190.

  Aftermath

  The Embraer platform became part of the carrier's later fleet development, followed by a second Embraer 190 in 2023.

  Source

• 2014

  Attempted long-haul expansionStrategy

  Background

  After launching international services with Airbus A319 aircraft, Hunnu Air sought to extend its network beyond regional Asian markets.

  Action taken

  The airline operated a seasonal Ulaanbaatar–Paris service with one technical stop and planned to acquire an Airbus A330 for future services including Singapore.

  Aftermath

  The A330 plan did not materialize because of financial difficulties, and the two Airbus A319 aircraft were repossessed late in 2014.

  Source

• 2013

  Adoption of the Hunnu Air brandStrategy

  Background

  The original Mongolian Airlines name was considered too similar to MIAT Mongolian Airlines, creating customer confusion and the possibility of a legal dispute.

  Action taken

  The company changed its name to Hunnu Air in April 2013 and used a name associated with the Hunnu or Xiongnu historical identity.

  Aftermath

  The rebranding established a distinct identity for the carrier while retaining its Mongolian national positioning.

  Source

1. 1Hunnu Airen.wikipedia.org