The Dominican Republic has experienced a remarkable surge in international air traffic. With a record-breaking 19 million passengers in 2024, a stunning 32% above pre-COVID 2019 (see chart below), the country has positioned itself as one of the Caribbean’s key destinations. This upward trend has continued into the first quarter of 2025, indicating that the growth is not a short-term rebound.

A key driver behind this boom is tourism, which is the backbone of the Dominican economy. This was particularly evident from the United States, which saw one of the fastest post-pandemic recoveries globally, due to cultural ties and strong accessibility to the island.

Another transformative development has been the emergence of a national carrier, Arajet. This low-cost carrier (LCC) was further supported by the Open Skies agreement with the U.S., which came into effect in December 2024.

Airlines Facilitating the Growth

With the lack of a strong home carrier, the Dominican Republic’s aviation links have historically been in the hands of foreign airlines providing direct origin-and-destination (O&D) connections. The main airlines facilitating this are U.S. and Canadian players. JetBlue is the largest carrier and has maintained a 20% market share over time. Similarly, all North American airlines held their share, as the growth has been across the board.

Newcomer, Arajet, is now the country’s flagship and largest airline. It launched in September 2022, operating a modern fleet of 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The airline is based in Santo Domingo and is the Caribbean’s first ultra-LCC. Arajet holds a 5% share of the market for now, but its future trajectory is steep. With 25 additional aircraft on order, and expansion into major U.S. cities underway, the airline is rapidly positioning itself as a connector between North, Central, and South America via the Dominican Republic.

Arajet received approval to operate flights to the United States following the Open Skies Agreement and its inaugural U.S. flight took place on April 11, 2025, connecting Santo Domingo with Miami. Further expansion includes routes from Santo Domingo to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and to New York Newark in June this year. Additionally, the airline plans to add Chicago, Washington, Boston, and Orlando to its network.

Airports Catering to Different Markets

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic’s main tourism destination, has the largest airport, PUJ, processing more than half of all air traffic (see chart below). Thereafter, Las Americas Airport (SDQ), serving the capital Santo Domingo, processed 5.5 million passengers in 2024, around a third of the total market. SDQ caters for the large diaspora living abroad.

Cibao International Airport (STI) serves the second largest city of the country, Santiago, and focuses on flights to and from the northeastern U.S., where a large Dominican community lives.

Most air passengers arriving in the Dominican Republic are Americans, the vast majority of whom fly into PUJ for leisure tourism. In contrast, Dominican nationals, the second-largest group of air travelers, primarily use SDQ and STI to visit family or return from abroad. Additionally, tourists from Canada, Colombia, and Argentina make up a significant share of international arrivals, also favoring PUJ as their main entry point.

These dynamics reflect the country’s dual aviation identity: a major tourism magnet and a crucial link for its diaspora.

To sum up, the Dominican Republic’s aviation growth is a positive story arising from a confluence of factors. It is being driven by the implementation of the Open Skies Agreement with the United States, the rapid rise of Arajet, and continued strength in tourism and diaspora travel.

Looking ahead, these pillars of liberalized air policy, a new hub carrier, and consistent demand offer a unique opportunity. The Dominican Republic is well positioned to develop into a true Caribbean hub, linking North, Central, and South America through efficient and affordable air travel.