Mongolia is a vast country with huge distances to travel but with little infrastructure. The climate is hard and winters are extremely cold, with temperatures dropping as low as -40ºC.
In 1990, Mongolia abandoned its 70-year-old Soviet-style one-party state and embraced political and economic reforms. Democracy and privatisation were enshrined in a new constitution, but the collapse of the economy after the withdrawal of Soviet support triggered widespread poverty and unemployment.
Many agencies arrived in Mongolia to carry out development and church work. When the already poor internal flight service declined, these agencies looked to MAF to set up an operation.
Following a third survey in 1997, it was decided that the best way for us to serve in Mongolia was to set up a joint venture with a local Christian partner. A suitable Mongolian organisation was identified, Exodus International, run by two young Christian Mongolian businessmen. The local partners were able to obtain the necessary permits for the Joint Venture (known as Blue Sky Aviation) and in May 1999 an operating permit was granted by the government for a full aviation service.
An aircraft hangar was completed in the spring of 2000 and in July a new Cessna 208 Grand Caravan arrived, fully equipped for operations in extreme temperatures. MAF began flying in 2001.
A lot of our flying is for the small but growing church, as well as development agencies and government bodies. Droughts, and unusually cold and snowy winters (known as dzud), have in the past decimated livestock, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of families. With such huge distances to cover, MAF flights are a lifeline in a medical emergency.
Our operation in Mongolia is based in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Key organisations served by MAF in Mongolia:
• Eternal Life Church
• Faith Fellowship Church
• Jill Howe (missionary and community shuttle to far western Mongolia)
• Joint Christian Services
• One Family Church
• Servant Leadership Centre
• SOS Mongolia
• Ulaanbaatar Baptist Church