“This flight, which takes us from the first city to the deep south, will be operated twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, on a BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft, with a capacity for 19 passengers, and will last about 35 minutes.” Carlos Jiménez, Air Century.
SANTO DOMINGO– Starting November 1st of this year, distance will no longer be an excuse to miss out on enjoying the paradise of Bahía de las Águilas in remote Pedernales, in the southern part of the Dominican Republic. Authorities announced yesterday the commencement of domestic flights on November 1st from La Isabela Dr. Joaquín Balaguer Airport to the Cabo Rojo airfield.
The General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (Dgapp), the Pro-Pedernales Trust, and the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), in announcing the project, said that it is part of the actions for the development of Pedernales as a new tourist destination, where an ambitious project will be carried out that seeks to turn the area into one of the main attractions of the country.
Air Century, in a commercial alliance with REP-AIR, will begin operating the new route, after being awarded the contract through a bidding process conducted under the mandate of the Pro-Pedernales Trust, as explained by the director of Dgapp, Sigmund Freund, during the launch event held at El Higüero airport.
The inaugural flight will be on November 1st, and from the 15th of the same month, one-way trips will be promoted, starting at $50 per leg and lasting 35 minutes.
“A six-hour journey to Pedernales will no longer be necessary,” said Freund, who emphasized that these domestic flights to Cabo Rojo will boost domestic tourism and attract investment to Pedernales, which is preparing to allow Dominicans and foreigners to enjoy the natural beauty and advantages of the province.
A great step for aviation
The president of the JAC, José Marte Piantini, stated that the announcement represents a great step for Dominican civil aviation and welcomed the commitment of both the airline executives and the systematic work of the Dgapp and the Pro-Pedernales Trust, for the achievement of the start of these flights.
Marte explained that in the country domestic air transport (cabotage) is exclusively for national airlines, and the number of flights carried out under this modality is increasing as a sign of the strengthening of local operations.
He considered that, in addition to encouraging domestic tourism, the new national route represents the strengthening of the country's aviation sector with a diversification of the sector and tourism in the Pedernales province.
The routes
The president of the JAC detailed that the Dominican airlines that offer professional air services will be Helidosa, Sky Cana, Sky High Aviation, Servicios Aéreos Geca, Red Air and Air Century.
The six airlines operate more than 12 national routes, to which Air Century's operations from La Isabela-Doctor Joaquín Balaguer airport to Cabo Rojo airfield will be added starting in November, the president of the JAC explained.
Itinerary to Cabo Rojo
Air Century's administrative director, Carlos Jiménez, detailed the characteristics of the aircraft that will be used for flights to Cabo Rojo, guaranteeing quality and safety to passengers who decide to make the short trip within the country.
“This flight, which takes us from the first city to the deep south, will be operated twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, in a BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft, with a capacity for 19 passengers, and will last about 35 minutes,” the executive explained.
He added that tickets and services, both in Santo Domingo and Pedernales, will be handled by REP-AIR and noted that this initiative - which is consistent with the state's interest in increasing and diversifying tourism in the country - will serve as a bridge for the economic, social and structural development of the area.
