With the start of 2022, the Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board (JAC) continues to expand air connectivity and strengthen the country’s air commercial market, with the authorization of multiple air routes to and from the United States, the Middle East, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.
United States
The JAC granted JetBlue Airways the Special Permit to operate 17 flights between Boston (BOS) and Puerto Plata (POP) on 162-passenger Airbus A320 aircraft, representing an offer of 5,508 seats from January through April 2, 2022, bringing the company’s presence in the Dominican Republic to four destinations from Logan Airport (BOS).
- JetBlue’s Boston to Dominican Republic Schedule
- Punta Cana (PUJ) three weekly flights on Airbus A320.
- Santo Domingo (SDQ) 11 weekly flights on Airbus A320/A321.
- Santiago de los Caballeros (STI) daily flights on A321.
American Airlines was also approved to include the Miami (MIA) – Samaná (ADZ) route, which is expected to begin in late March with two weekly frequencies and an offer of 8,056 seats in the route’s first year of operation.
American Airlines schedule from Miami to the Dominican Republic
- Santo Domingo (SDQ) five daily flights on Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 MAX 8/-800 NG.
- Punta Cana (PUJ) three daily flights on Airbus A319 and Boeing 777-200ER/ MAX 8.
- Santiago de los Caballeros (STI) daily flights on Airbus A321.
- Puerto Plata (POP) daily flights on Boeing 737 MAX 8.
“These routes are presently not being operated by any airline. And with their introduction to the country, we start the year with positive actions for the country’s air connectivity. From the JAC we continue our commitment to continue strengthening air operations in the Dominican Republic,” said Dr. José Ernesto Marte Piantini, President of the JAC.
Venezuela and the Caribbean
Five new routes were approved for Sky High Aviation Services to connect Santo Domingo (SDQ) with four destinations in Venezuela: Maracaibo (MAR), Valencia (VLN), Caracas (CCS), Porlamar (PMV), as well as a service to the French Caribbean in Guadeloupe (PTP). With these new routes, the company reinforces the connectivity of the Dominican capital with South America.
During the period established from January 2019 to October 2021, Sky High Aviation Services mobilized 74,338 passengers in 4,196 air operations.
RUTACA Airlines was granted permission to operate three weekly flights on the Caracas (CCS) – Puerto Plata (POP) route, with an estimated 37,440 seats during the first year of operation.
In the last 15 years, the Venezuelan airline has operated charter flights to the Dominican Republic, accumulating a great track record and experience in the Caribbean country. Between January 2021 and October 2021 the operator has mobilized 3,541 passengers in 294 air operations.
Middle East
The JAC approved the code-share request between Iberia and El AL to operate the Madrid (MAD) – Santo Domingo (SDQ) route, thus connecting the Dominican Republic with Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV) via the Spanish capital.
In 2021 aviation in the Dominican Republic achieved a significant recovery, closing with the arrival of 4,995,412 tourists, of which 728,335 entered the country just in December.
