SANTO DOMINGO.- Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom) recommended that passengers with scheduled flights check with their airline regarding the status of their flights before heading to the airport and follow the recommendations of relief agencies, given the passage of Tropical Storm Franklin through the country.
It also suggests arriving at least two hours before the scheduled departure time and taking precautions when traveling to and from the airport, due to rain and possible flooding along the way caused by the tropical storm that has brought heavy rainfall to various locations in the Dominican Republic this Wednesday.
A total of 37 flights have been affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Franklin through the national territory, according to Aerodom, which added that the six airports under its management are operating "normally and without major incident," after resuming operations this morning following the suspension from midnight on Tuesday as a precaution due to the storm.
Las Américas International Airport, José Francisco Peña Gómez (AILA) and La Isabela International Airport Dr. Joaquín Balaguer (AILI) opened their operations at 6:00 a.m., while Gregorio Luperón International Airport (AIGL) in Puerto Plata and Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport (AISA) in Samaná resumed their operations from 8:00 a.m.
Due to Tropical Storm Franklin, Aerodom reported a total of 37 flights affected: 15 on Tuesday and 23 on Wednesday, including 18 at Las Américas International Airport (AILA), 3 at Las Américas International Airport (AILI), and 2 in Puerto Plata. Airlines are working to schedule additional flights and transfer all affected passengers to their destinations.
"Those with scheduled travel should exercise caution on their journey to the airport and check with their airline regarding the status of their flight before departing," said Luis López, Director of Communications for Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), who mentioned "flooding and debris" on the Las Américas Highway leading to AILA.
The airports operated by Aerodom and VINCI Airports are the International Airports of the Americas, José Francisco Peña Gómez, in Santo Domingo; Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, in Santo Domingo Norte; Gregorio Luperón, in Puerto Plata; María Montez, in Barahona and Presidente Juan Bosch in the province of Samaná; in addition to the Arroyo Barril Aerodrome, also located in Samaná.
The company stated in a press release that it is maintaining its hurricane contingency plan in anticipation of Tropical Storm Franklin's passage through the country, and is working closely with the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and the Emergency Operations Center (COE), taking appropriate precautions and following international aviation safety protocols to ensure the safety of passengers, all personnel at its airports, and the terminals operated by this concessionary company.
