Arajet Expands US Presence with new Low-Cost Flights from Newark to Santo Domingo—Tickets Now Available from Two Hundred Sixty Two USD

Published on March 11, 2025

Arajet, the Dominican Republic’s low-cost airline, is strengthening its US footprint with the launch of direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Santo Domingo’s Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) starting June 16, 2025. With fares beginning at just Two Hundred Sixty Two USD roundtrip, the airline aims to provide an affordable alternative for travelers frequently flying between New York and the Dominican Republic, particularly the large Dominican diaspora. By entering this highly competitive market, Arajet is set to challenge major carriers like JetBlue, Delta, and United, offering budget-conscious passengers a cost-effective, nonstop travel option to one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.

Arajet, the low-cost airline based in the Dominican Republic, is set to shake up the air travel market between the United States and the Caribbean. On June 16, 2025, the airline will officially launch direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, offering fares as low as $262 roundtrip.

With this launch, Arajet aims to provide a more affordable alternative for travelers frequently commuting between New York and the Dominican Republic, particularly the large Dominican diaspora residing in the U.S. The airline describes its market entry as a “reprieve” for travelers who have long faced high ticket prices from existing carriers.

New York is a key hub for flights to the Dominican Republic, as both business travelers and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) make up a significant portion of air traffic. But the competitive landscape is already dominated by major airlines like JetBlue, Delta, and United, raising the question—can Arajet carve out its place in this crowded market?

How Competitive is the New York-Santo Domingo Route?

The New York City metropolitan area serves as one of the largest departure points for flights to the Dominican Republic, making it an essential market for airlines. However, Arajet is entering a highly competitive environment where well-established carriers control a massive share of available seats.

By August 2025, analysis of Cirium Diio data shows that there will be approximately 101 weekly nonstop flights between the New York metro area and Santo Domingo, excluding Arajet’s new services.

Here’s how the competition stacks up:

• JetBlue Airways leads the pack, operating seven daily flights from JFK to Santo Domingo. Additionally, JetBlue is increasing its frequency at Newark, offering 10 weekly flights—a direct challenge to Arajet’s new route.
• Delta Air Lines provides three daily flights from JFK to Santo Domingo, targeting both leisure and VFR travelers.
• United Airlines, the primary airline at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), operates three daily nonstop flights to Santo Domingo.

This means that in peak summer travel months, these three airlines will offer nearly 18,000 weekly direct seats to Santo Domingo alone. Additionally, there will be 35,000 weekly seats available on flights to other Dominican airports such as Punta Cana (PUJ), Santiago (STI), and Puerto Plata (POP).

In comparison, Arajet’s initial entry consists of just four weekly flights between Newark and Santo Domingo, offering 740 seats per week aboard Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Arajet’s Low-Cost Advantage: Can It Compete?

Despite stiff competition, Arajet is positioning itself as the affordable alternative for budget-conscious travelers. The airline follows a low-cost carrier (LCC) model, meaning fares are unbundled, and travelers can choose to pay extra for baggage, seat selection, and other services.

While JetBlue, Delta, and United dominate the market with their established reputations, their ticket prices often range from $400 to $550 for a roundtrip economy fare—and can be even higher during peak travel periods.

In contrast, Arajet is marketing its flights at a much lower price point, with introductory fares starting at $262 roundtrip.

The question remains: Will travelers be willing to trade off the added convenience and flexibility of legacy carriers for the budget-friendly approach of Arajet?

Strategic Advantages for Arajet

Arajet’s entry into the U.S. market is not just about direct flights—it’s also about offering connections to underserved destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

1. The Home Advantage

As the flag carrier of the Dominican Republic, Arajet has strong brand recognition among Dominican travelers. The airline is expected to build customer loyalty by catering specifically to the Dominican diaspora in the U.S.

2. Hub Connectivity at Santo Domingo (SDQ)

One major selling point for Arajet is that passengers flying from Newark can connect through Santo Domingo to other cities that do not have direct flights from JFK or EWR. These include:

• Colombia
• Peru
• Central America
• Other Caribbean Islands

This hub-and-spoke model allows Arajet to maximize its reach while offering budget travelers more affordable multi-leg journeys.

3. Expanding U.S. Presence

The Newark route is only part of Arajet’s broader U.S. expansion plan. The airline has already announced upcoming flights to Miami (MIA) and San Juan (SJU) in Puerto Rico, strengthening its presence in the American market.

What’s Next for Arajet?

Since its launch in 2022, Arajet has steadily grown its network, using its Santo Domingo base as a springboard for affordable travel throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. With more expansion in the pipeline, the airline is poised to play a significant role in reshaping the low-cost airline sector in the region.

The Dominican Republic’s tourism industry is thriving, with the World Bank reporting a record influx of tourists in 2024. Additionally, UN Tourism data indicates that tourism contributes nearly 10% of the nation’s GDP.

This strong demand for inbound travel, combined with a massive Dominican expatriate population in the U.S., creates a fertile market for Arajet to capitalize on.

But can Arajet truly compete with airline giants?

• Its low-cost pricing strategy makes it an attractive alternative.
• Its hub-and-spoke connectivity could give travelers more affordable onward flight options.
• However, its limited frequency of flights and lack of brand awareness in the U.S. could be a hurdle.

The airline’s performance in the coming months will determine whether it can successfully challenge the dominant legacy carriers or if it will struggle to gain traction in this fiercely competitive market.

Arajet is expanding its U.S. presence with new direct flights from Newark to Santo Domingo, launching on June 16, 2025, with fares starting at Two Hundred Sixty Two USD roundtrip, offering a budget-friendly alternative to major airlines.

A New Low-Cost Option for New York-Dominican Republic Travel

Arajet’s entry into the New York-Santo Domingo market marks a significant development in the battle for affordable air travel between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.

With introductory fares as low as $262 roundtrip, Arajet is positioning itself as a budget-friendly disruptor—but it faces formidable competition from JetBlue, Delta, and United.

Will travelers embrace the low-cost model and shift their loyalty to Arajet? Or will legacy carriers maintain their dominance in this high-demand market?

As summer travel surges, Arajet’s first flights from Newark will set the stage for its future growth in the U.S.—and potentially change the way budget travelers fly to the Caribbean.