SANTO DOMINGO.- Tourism Minister David Colladoled the inaugural ceremony yesterday, Wednesday, for the first flight of the Dominican airline Arajet to Puerto Rico.
"Today we continue making history with this first Arajet flight to Puerto Rico, a new route that strengthens the historic ties between Borinquen and Quisqueya," said Minister Collado at the official start of operations from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, with an inaugural flight that departed from Las Américas International Airport at 12:20 p.m. and landed at Luis Muñoz Marín Airport 40 minutes later.
“It is vital for the country to continue improving air connectivity; that is why we worked so hard to achieve the signing of the Open Skies Agreement with the United States, which allows airlines like Arajet to now open important routes such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and are also offering flights to Chicago, Boston, Orlando, among other new US cities that they will be announcing and that will impact the arrival of new tourists to the Dominican Republic,” the Minister of Tourism also stated.
With four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, this direct flight will operate between Santo Domingo Airport and San Juan, Puerto Rico, strengthening trade relations and connecting the Dominican diaspora living on the neighboring island. Additionally, starting June 6th, it will connect San Juan and Punta Canawith a direct flight three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The flight was seen off by Minister Collado and headed by Arajet CEO and founder, Victor Pacheco Mendez, who displayed the Dominican and Puerto Rican flags as a sign of conquering another destination in the extensive network of destinations that Arajet has been building on the continent, which now total 28.
Addressing those present, Pacheco Méndez expressed his enthusiasm for this new route and emphasized that Arajet's arrival in Puerto Rico is a result of the Open Skies Agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic. He also noted that it would not have been possible without the unwavering support received from the Government of Puerto Rico and its Governor Jennifer González, as well as from the Dominican Government, specifically President Luis Abinader and Minister Collado, whom he thanked personally.
"This first flight to San Juan is a source of joy for us, marking the beginning of our commitment to the Puerto Rican people to offer efficient and more affordable travel options for our passengers, connecting this beautiful sister city with the entire continent, strengthening tourism and cultural exchange between both nations," emphasized Pacheco Méndez.
Victor Nicolas Pichardo, executive director of the Airport Department, stated that this is a historic day, while congratulating Arajet for its initiative, which complements the vision of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, to establish the Open Skies Agreement that allows Dominican airlines to travel to the United States.
Photo: External source.
