AERODOM adds destinations and expands operations from Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Samaná; the season includes an investment of RD$24 billion for a new terminal at Las Américas
SANTO DOMINGO.- Air connections between the Dominican Republic and several international markets will be expanded during the 2026-2027 winter season, with the addition of direct flights to Rome, Houston, Montreal and Paramaribo, as well as increased operations to other destinations in the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean.
The expansion will encompass the international airports of Las Américas, in Santo Domingo; Gregorio Luperón, in Puerto Plata; and Presidente Juan Bosch, in Samaná, which will have new routes and greater capacity to meet the demand of travelers between October 2026 and March 2027.
The schedule of Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM), a company belonging to VINCI Airports, also includes strengthening connections with Colombia, Panama, Spain and other cities in the United States, in a season marked by the growth of the Canadian market.
Rome, Houston and Montreal among the new connections from Santo Domingo
The Las Américas International Airport, José Francisco Peña Gómez (AILA), will concentrate more than 1.5 million seats during the period, 3.4% more than in the previous winter.
Among the new additions is the direct route between Santo Domingo and Rome, which will be operated by ITA Airways and will establish a nonstop air connection between the Dominican Republic and Italy. This will be complemented by flights to Montreal, via Air Canada; Houston, with United Airlines; and Paramaribo, through Fly Always.
The offer will also include connections to Caracas, Venezuela, and Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, while several companies will strengthen their operations on routes that are already running.
JetBlue will increase its capacity between Fort Lauderdale and Santo Domingo by 128%, while American Airlines will increase the number of scheduled flights to Philadelphia from 24 to 153.
Avianca will increase the number of seats available for travel to Bogotá by 41%, and Iberia will expand its capacity to Madrid by 19%, with more than 100 additional flights compared to the previous season.
Copa Airlines will add 15% more seats to its operations to Panama, while Arajet will increase its capacity to Boston by 67%.
Puerto Plata will strengthen its connectivity with Canada and Colombia
Gregorio Luperón International Airport will register an 8.8% growth in its capacity, driven mainly by the expansion of connections with Canadian cities.
Flair Airlines will add flights from Toronto and Montreal, while WestJet will open a route from Winnipeg and Air Transat will add operations from London, Ontario.
The schedule will also include direct flights to Bogotá. Meanwhile, Copa Airlines will nearly triple its seat capacity between Puerto Plata and Panama, and Wingo will begin operating a direct route to the Colombian capital.
These operations will expand transportation options for passengers traveling from the Dominican Republic's north coast and facilitate connections with other markets on the continent.
Samaná will lead the growth of the airport network
The Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport, in Samaná, will experience the largest percentage increase in AERODOM's schedule, with a 29% increase in available seats.
Canada will play a key role in this outcome, with a growth of nearly 40% in supply to that market, driven by the expansion of operations by WestJet and Air Canada on the route to Montreal.
The company believes that strengthening these connections will help maintain the flow of international visitors and expand air access options to Dominican tourist destinations.
The winter season will have 1.9 million seats
The three airports operated by AERODOM will have approximately 1.9 million seats scheduled between October 2026 and March 2027, representing an additional 88,000 seats, equivalent to a growth of 4.9% compared to the previous winter.
The offer includes more than 10,500 outbound flights and direct connections to 57 international destinations, according to the company's projections.
Canada is positioned as the main growth engine among the featured markets, with more than 230,000 seats scheduled and an increase of 33%, equivalent to about 58,000 additional seats.
Cyril Girot, CEO of AERODOM, stated that the increase in air capacity reflects the confidence of airlines in the Dominican Republic as a tourist and business destination.
The executive stated that the addition of new connections and the strengthening of existing routes open up opportunities for tourism, trade, and the communities where the company operates. He also affirmed that they will continue working with partner airlines to boost the country's connectivity.
The new AILA terminal will have an investment of RD$24 billion
The expansion of international connections coincides with the modernization program that AERODOM is implementing at Las Américas International Airport.
The project includes an investment of RD$24 billion to build a new passenger terminal, as well as rehabilitate the main runway and install an automated baggage handling system, known as BHS.
According to the company, these interventions aim to increase the airport's operational capacity, improve process efficiency, and raise safety and service quality standards.
The new routes and infrastructure projects are part of the efforts to respond to the growing demand for air transport and consolidate Dominican connectivity with major international markets.
Recommended readings:
