Ruth Haines
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, receiving over 7.8 million passengers annually, including 80 international flights per week during high season. The airport is currently undergoing expansion, with new terminals, offices, baggage carousels, and parking spaces being added. PUJ is equipped with all the necessary facilities, including restaurants, cafes, bars, a pharmacy, a kid's play area, free Wi-Fi, and a Mother's Room for nursing mothers. The airport also provides special services for travellers with disabilities, such as dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs. With its continuous growth and expansion, PUJ aims to become the most important air cargo hub in the Caribbean region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Eastern tip of the Dominican Republic |
| Owner | Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este, S.A. (CAE) |
| Operator | Puntacana Resort & Club |
| Number of Terminals | 5 (2 for international commercial flights) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Length of Runways | 10,171 ft |
| Number of Passengers | 7.8 million per year |
| Number of Aircraft Arrivals | 21,787 per year |
| Number of Weekly Flights | 300 (during high season) |
| Number of Destinations | 64 cities, 26 countries, 90 airports |
| Number of Airlines | 52 |
| Number of Aircraft Parking Ramps | 2 |
| Facilities | Pharmacy, baby changing rooms, kid's play area, free Wi-Fi, post office, cafes, bars, restaurants, duty-free shops, advertising spaces |
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$19.9
What You'll Learn
Terminals
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, receiving over 7.8 million passengers annually, including connecting flights. The airport is located in the main town of Punta Cana and is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the capital, Santo Domingo.
Punta Cana International Airport has five terminals, but only two are used for international commercial flights: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, also known as Terminals A and B. Terminal A has a Mother's Room, called "Sala de Lactancia", which is a comfortable space for nursing mothers, complete with seating, a changing table, and electrical outlets. Terminals A and B also have digital kiosks for automated migration and check-in services.
The airport has a steady selection of cafes, bars, restaurants, and duty-free shops. It also offers essential services such as a pharmacy, baby changing rooms, a kid's play area, free Wi-Fi, and a post office.
Punta Cana International Airport is currently undergoing expansion, with plans to add a new terminal, improve baggage handling, enhance security, and increase aircraft parking capacity. The airport aims to become the most important air cargo hub in the Caribbean.
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Runway and aircraft
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, receiving over 7.8 million passengers annually, including 8 million tourists. It is also the largest airport in the Caribbean, handling 67% of the Dominican Republic's international flights. The airport is located within the main town of Punta Cana and is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the capital, Santo Domingo.
The airport has experienced an average growth rate of over 11% per year since the early 2000s. It currently operates as a gateway airport for Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States, receiving over 21,787 aircraft arrivals per year. During its high season, PUJ handles up to 300 weekly flights, including 80 international flights.
The history of aviation in Punta Cana began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the "Punta Cana Club" hotel and a small airstrip. The airstrip had a very short runway and no terminal. In 1984, the airport received its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, marking the beginning of jet aircraft accommodation. The runway was extended to 7,500 feet (2,300 m), and the airport underwent its first expansion in the same year, adding a small expansion to the check-in area and renovating the terminal.
Today, PUJ has two runways, each 10,171 feet long, with one built to accommodate 4E category aircraft. The airport has a 900m2 hangar capable of accommodating King Air, Seneca, and Beach Craft aircraft, as well as two terminals with capacity for 13 wide and narrow-body aircraft simultaneously. PUJ is currently undergoing further expansion, adding new aircraft parking ramps and improving its facilities to enhance the travel experience for its growing number of passengers.
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Passenger numbers
Punta Cana International Airport, also known as PUJ Airport, is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. It is located in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic and is regarded as the second most popular airport in the Caribbean. The airport has experienced an average growth rate of over 11% year over year since the early 2000s.
The airport handles approximately 8 million passengers per year, with some sources citing 7.8 million, and over 21,787 aircraft arrivals per year. It is a key gateway for the United States, Canada, South America, Central America, Europe, and some parts of the world. It connects with 64 cities, 26 countries, 90 airports, and 52 airlines. It handles more than 52 international airlines, including International Charter flights (approximately 4,421) and International Regular flights (approximately 18,318) per year.
The airport's first expansion was in 1986, after receiving 2,976 passengers in 1984. The runway was extended to accommodate larger aircraft, and the terminal was renovated and expanded. Today, the airport has 5 terminals, with only 2 used for international commercial flights. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are also referred to as Terminals A and B, respectively. Terminal A features a Mother's Room called "Sala de Lactancia", which includes comfortable seating, a changing table, and electrical outlets. Terminal B has its own parking lot, with pay stations located inside the parking lot near the entrance.
The airport offers a range of amenities, including dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs, priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, elderly passengers, and those travelling with babies. It also provides priority lines for families with young children, breastfeeding rooms, recreational areas for children, and exclusive lines for foreign residents and Dominican citizens. Additionally, the airport has a pharmacy, restaurants, cafes, bars, and a kid's play area.
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Facilities
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, handling 67% of the country's international flights. The airport has experienced an average growth rate of over 11% year-on-year since the early 2000s and currently receives over 7.8 million passengers annually.
Punta Cana International Airport offers a range of facilities and services to cater to the needs of its passengers. Here are some of the key facilities available:
Terminals
The airport has two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, also known as Terminals A and B. These terminals are used for international commercial flights and are equipped with modern digital kiosks for faster check-in, comfortable seating areas, and a variety of dining and shopping options. Terminal A has a designated "Mother's Room" for nursing mothers, complete with comfortable seating, a changing table, and electrical outlets.
Dining and Shopping
The airport offers a variety of dining options, including well-known brands such as Wendy's, Sbarro, Nathan's, Cinnabon, Segafredo's, and Baskin-Robbins. There is also a Skybar for those who want to enjoy a drink with a view. For shopping, passengers can explore Duty-Free Americas, where they can purchase liquors, tobacco, souvenirs, and a wide range of duty-free items.
Accessibility
PUJ is designed to be accessible for all travellers, offering dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs at arrivals and departures. There is also priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies.
Family-Friendly Features
As a popular family destination, the airport features baby changing rooms and a kid's play area to entertain young travellers. There are also designated areas in the terminals for families travelling with children, making it more convenient for parents and guardians.
Internet Access
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, allowing passengers to stay connected and access important travel information.
Other Amenities
The airport also provides essential services such as a pharmacy for any last-minute medication or hygiene product needs, a post office for sending and receiving packages, and a currency exchange counter for those who need local currency. Additionally, a Co Bus service is provided to transport travellers from the gate to their corresponding aircraft or immigration area.
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History
The history of aviation in Punta Cana dates back to 1971 when Grupo Puntacana constructed the area's first hotel, "Punta Cana Club", along with a small airstrip. At the time, there were no terminals or runways, just a secluded piece of land. However, as Punta Cana gained popularity as a vacation destination, the need for better infrastructure became evident.
In the late 1970s, a road was constructed to connect Punta Cana to Higüey, the capital of La Altagracia Province. This development made the region more accessible, and tourists from various countries began to arrive. However, the existing airstrip had significant problems, including a very short runway and the absence of a terminal, leading to inconveniences for passengers.
Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive airport, Grupo Puntacana took on the task of building a new airport in Punta Cana. Designed by architect Oscar Imbert, the airport featured open-air terminals and roofs covered in palm fronds, seamlessly integrating into its surroundings. The airport was inaugurated in December 1983 and became the first privately owned international airport in the world.
Over time, Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) grew in significance, attracting airlines from Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean. By the 1990s, it had established its first long-haul routes, with airlines such as Monarch Airlines, Air Belgium, Condor, and LTU International offering flights to Punta Cana. The airport's accessibility and popularity contributed to its success, solidifying its position as a key gateway for the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe.
Today, Punta Cana International Airport is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic and the second busiest in the Caribbean. It serves around 20,000 passengers per day and offers a range of amenities, including priority lines for various traveller types, breastfeeding rooms, and recreational areas for children. With its focus on passenger comfort and convenience, PUJ Airport has become an essential contributor to the country's thriving tourism industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Punta Cana International Airport is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, with over 7.8 million passengers travelling through each year. It is also the second most popular airport in the Caribbean.
The airport is built on a 2,000,000m2 lot. It has two terminals, the first 25,000m2 and the second 26,300m2. It also has two 10,171ft runways, one of which was built to accommodate 4E category aircraft.
The airport has a pharmacy, baby changing rooms, a kid's play area, free Wi-Fi, a post office, cafes, bars, restaurants, duty-free shops, advertising spaces, a Mother's Room, and a VIP terminal.
Punta Cana International Airport is well-equipped to cater to the needs of travellers with disabilities, with dedicated queues for wheelchairs at arrivals and departures, access ramps for wheelchairs, and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies.
