Eukaryotic translation initiation factors 1A (eIF1A) function as important regulatory factors in protein synthesis and play crucial roles in the response to abiotic stresses in plants. In this study, we cloned the translation initiation factor MieIF1A-a (GenBank accession number: KP271044) in mango. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out on the MieIF1A-a, and its function was studied through the expression pattern analysis and Arabidopsis thaliana genetic transformation. Sequences analysis showed that the full length of the MieIF1A-a cDNA was 604 bp with an open reading frame of 435 bp, encoding 144 amino acids, and the molecular weight was 16.45 kDa. MieIF1A-a had the highest similarity with VveIF1A of grapevine, had significantly higher expression level in mature fruit than in other tissues. It was up-regulated under salt and drought stresses, causing transgenic plants to produce more pods, to grow better and to be less adversely affected than wild-type plants. Compared with wild-type plants, the relative water content, chlorophyll and proline contents were higher, SOD, POD and CAT activities were stronger, and MDA content was relatively lower in transgenic plants under drought stress. In summary, this study revealed that the MieIF1A-a gene was involved in the regulation of fruit development and responded to stresses, which laid a foundation for further research on stress resistance of mango.