Dominican Republic Builds Arajet’s Santo Domingo Hub for Americas Travel

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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is solidifying its place as a gateway airport internationally with the expansion of its airline, Arajet, which is increasing service to markets throughout North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Arajet is operating with an air hub connection model that involves Santo Domingo’s Las Américas International Airport and Punta Cana International Airport to connect customers who would otherwise travel with a more difficult route to their destination. Expansion for the airline is coupled with increased international flights, more aircraft, and greater connectivity demand. The company is focusing on creating a new image for the Dominican Republic not only as a holiday destination for beach getaways but also as a connecting point for travel between the Americas. Arajet is building up its U.S. route network, adding routes to South American destinations, and pursuing connections with North American airlines. The expansion will allow travellers from abroad more choices when travelling from one part of the Caribbean and the Americas to another.

Arajet Expands Its Network Across North and South America

Arajet’s expansion has gained momentum following the introduction of services to the United States and the growth of its Latin American network. The airline entered the US market in 2025, establishing connections with gateways including Miami, Newark Liberty and Chicago O’Hare.

At Routes Americas 2026, the airline’s network development leadership identified further US expansion and potential airline partnerships as important priorities. Possible future destinations, including additional West Coast markets, remain dependent on fleet availability and commercial decisions. The carrier has also been examining interline agreements and codeshare arrangements to broaden its connecting network.

Its existing network already reaches several important South American markets, including Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. These connections provide opportunities for passengers to travel between North American cities and destinations further south through the Dominican Republic.

In September 2026, Arajet reported that it had transported more than 1.6 million passengers during the year. The airline also reported operating 30 destinations across 17 countries, with Guayaquil in Ecuador and Montevideo in Uruguay among its additions through Punta Cana.

Santo Domingo and Punta Cana Serve Different Connecting Markets

The Dominican Republic’s aviation strategy is supported by two important international gateways.

Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo provides access to the country’s capital and its historic Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the Alcázar de Colón, historic plazas, museums and the waterfront district while using the capital as a starting point for onward regional journeys.

Punta Cana International Airport, meanwhile, serves one of the Caribbean’s largest leisure tourism markets. Its extensive resort infrastructure, beaches and international hotel developments make it an important gateway for holidaymakers travelling to the eastern Dominican Republic.

Arajet operates from both airports, although their route networks are not identical. Santo Domingo has particular relevance to its North American and Caribbean connectivity, while Punta Cana supports a substantial leisure network extending into South America and other international markets.

This dual-airport approach allows the airline to serve different passenger segments, including holidaymakers, visiting friends and relatives, and travellers making connecting journeys.

New Routes Strengthen Santo Domingo’s International Connectivity

The expansion of Las Américas International Airport is also contributing to Santo Domingo’s growing role in regional aviation.

Airport operator AERODOM announced additional routes and increased frequencies for 2026 involving several international airlines. JetBlue increased its Fort Lauderdale-Santo Domingo operation from one to three daily flights from 9 July, while Copa Airlines reached five daily services between Panama City and Santo Domingo during July.

Arajet also increased its Santo Domingo-Bogotá operation from seven to eight weekly flights from 10 August.

Further additions include ITA Airways’ planned Rome-Santo Domingo service, scheduled to begin on 30 November, and seasonal Air Canada flights from Montreal from 10 December. United Airlines is also scheduled to introduce three weekly flights from Houston on 18 December.

These developments extend Santo Domingo’s connections beyond its traditional Caribbean and Latin American markets, creating additional access for visitors arriving from North America and Europe.

Affordable Connections Create New Options for International Tourists

Arajet’s low-cost operating model allows it to attract price-conscious travellers looking for alternatives to conventional connecting itineraries. Its network strategy is intended to make connections through the Dominican Republic more accessible, particularly for passengers travelling between cities that have limited direct flight options.

For example, travellers from North America could use Santo Domingo or Punta Cana to connect with selected destinations in Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and other South American markets. Similarly, passengers travelling north from South America could incorporate a Dominican Republic stopover into a wider Caribbean holiday.

However, competitive fares do not automatically establish that every itinerary is cheaper than connections through major US or Gulf hubs. Final prices depend on route availability, baggage charges, booking conditions, seasonal demand and whether connecting flights are protected under a single ticket.

Arajet is also exploring partnerships with North American airlines, although discussions do not yet establish a comprehensive interline or codeshare network.

Fleet Growth Supports the Next Stage of Expansion

Aircraft availability will continue to be important for Arajet in developing its network. As stated above, Arajet claimed that it had a total of 16 aircraft in its fleet in September 2026, and it was planning to develop its business in the future, aiming for 25 aircraft, over 35 destinations and operation in over 20 countries in 2027. Such developments would provide more opportunity for new routes and more flights, which would also help the airline increase passenger transfers at its bases in the Dominican Republic. In terms of the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic, increased air connectivity could bring other benefits aside from Arajet’s business development. Other businesses such as hotels, tour operators, restaurants, transport companies and attractions would be able to benefit from the increased number of tourists visiting Santo Domingo or Punta Cana for purposes other than arriving there. Therefore, the aviation network of the Dominican Republic is being developed in two parallel ways: attraction of tourists from other countries to popular resorts in the country and connectivity between North America, South America and the Caribbean.