In a submission to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Dominican low-cost carrier Arajet has requested authorization to market flights between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, Miami and New York starting in the fall of 2023.

In the presentation, the Dominican company indicates that it is making the request in accordance with the bilateral treaty in force between the two countries and that the DOT’s authorization would give «a degree of balance» to the market between the two states, dominated by US operators, which in 2022 offered more than 52,000 flights to the Caribbean country.

Arajet states that, if approved, it will implement a two-phase plan: in the first phase, it will seek to operate to destinations such as those mentioned, with high tourist potential and a Dominican diaspora that will guarantee a reasonable demand.

Arajet transported more than 80,000 passengers in 2022

The second phase will seek to offer new services to other cities that do not have direct service to the Dominican Republic. The company also indicated that it is supporting Dominican efforts to negotiate an open skies agreement with the United States.

The company, financially backed by Bain Capital, operates a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX, in its -8 variant. Arajet currently operates flights to 17 destinations in 11 countries in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.