Airports Of The Dominican Republic: A Comprehensive Guide

The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, each located on the coastline near the country's popular tourist destinations. The airports are equipped with duty-free shopping, restaurants, and lounges for business and first-class passengers. Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the largest airport in the country, with flights to 81 destinations in 28 countries. Other notable airports include Casa de Campo International Airport and Juan Bosch International Airport, which is the closest airport to the Samaná Peninsula.

Airports in the Dominican Republic

Punta Cana Airport (PUJ)

The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, each located on the coastline near the country's popular provinces and tourist destinations. One of these is Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), which is the country's busiest airport, receiving over three million passengers a year. It is also the second busiest airport in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The history of aviation in the Punta Cana region began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the "Punta Cana Club" hotel and a small airstrip. There were no terminals and no runway, just a flat piece of land. The area was very secluded from the rest of the Dominican Republic, and the only way to get to Punta Cana was by air. In the late 1970s, a road was built to connect the area to the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey. However, the airstrip had issues, such as a very short runway and a lack of terminals.

In January 1984, Punta Cana received its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by Puerto Rican airline Prinair. This marked the beginning of the airport's expansion, with the runway being extended and the terminal renovated. In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States was established with Miami International Airport. The airport continued to expand, accommodating more aircraft and adding new routes. By the 1990s, the runway was long enough for long-haul jets, and the airport welcomed its first long-haul routes from Europe.

Today, PUJ has two terminals and offers direct flights to and from various destinations worldwide, including Russia and Canada. The airport provides a range of services and amenities, including priority lines for families with young children, people with reduced mobility, and people with special needs. It also has breastfeeding rooms, recreational areas for children, and VIP services. The airport recommends that passengers travelling to the United States arrive at least three hours before departure due to additional security measures.

Gregorio Luperón Airport (POP)

The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, each located on the coastline near the country's most popular provinces and tourist destinations. One of these airports is Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), also known as Puerto Plata Airport. The airport is named after General Gregorio Luperón, a Dominican military and state leader.

Located in Puerto Plata, Gregorio Luperón International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country. It offers modern facilities and amenities that showcase the city's rich culture and history. Puerto Plata is a popular destination known for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and lively entertainment. The airport is capable of handling planes of all sizes and has a runway that is 3,081 meters long and 46 meters wide.

As the fourth busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, Gregorio Luperón International Airport handles over 704,000 passengers and aircraft movements annually. American Airlines is the primary international operator at this airport. The airport has benefited from its proximity to many beaches, which are popular among charter airline passengers. The city's popularity has also attracted a number of regularly scheduled passenger airlines over the years.

When visiting Puerto Plata, there are several notable destinations to explore. For example, you can visit the iconic Fort San Felipe to learn about the city's colonial past or take a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for panoramic views. Additionally, the white sandy beaches of Playa Dorada offer opportunities for relaxation, snorkelling, and scuba diving. Beyond its natural attractions, Puerto Plata is also a cultural hub, boasting galleries, museums, and music festivals throughout the year.

Cibao Airport (STI)

Cibao International Airport, also known as Santiago Airport, is located in the Dominican Republic's second-largest city, Santiago de los Caballeros. It is the third busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic and aircraft movements, with over 2 million passengers in 2023. The airport is located 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) southeast of Santiago City's centre. The air terminal mainly serves Dominicans residing in the United States, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Puerto Rico, as well as Haitians residing in the Cibao Region.

Cibao International has been projected to become one of the busiest airports in the country since its inauguration. The airport contains the Dominican Republic's busiest international route (STI-JFK), with over 1.051 million passengers every year as of 2023. JetBlue is the primary international operator, with up to twenty daily flights. The airport also has new routes to Spain and Colombia, making it a popular gateway to the Dominican Republic for tourists and missionary workers.

The airport's infrastructure consists of a main international terminal, a domestic terminal, and a cargo terminal. The international terminal is the most used and receives most of the flights operating to and from Cibao International Airport. It has modern installations to streamline the check-in, boarding, and baggage claim processes. In 2008, the airport became the first in the country to eliminate fees for private planes, further increasing tourism in the region.

In December 2019, Frontier Airlines planned to operate flights from Newark, New Jersey, to Santiago. However, these plans were cancelled due to airport restrictions. Despite this setback, the airport continues to expand, with a new terminal expected to be inaugurated in mid-2025. In July 2021, a $300 million renovation plan was announced to further increase the airport's capacity and improve its infrastructure. The airport is currently under renovation, with an estimated completion time of 26 months.

La Romana Airport (LRM)

La Romana International Airport (LRM/MDLR) in the Dominican Republic, also known as Casa de Campo International Airport, has been in operation for over two decades, having opened in December 2000. It replaced an older airport with the same name, which was located 5km (3.1 miles) away on the Caribbean shore. The current airport is located just outside the country's second-busiest city, Santiago de los Caballeros, about a 30-minute drive away.

Airlines that offer regular scheduled and charter flights to and from La Romana Airport include American Airlines, Seaborne, and Eurowings. The airport also has a domestic terminal for private in-country flights. La Romana Airport is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, which offers daily flights from Miami, in addition to American Eagle flights.

La Romana Airport is a good choice for travellers visiting the luxurious Casa de Campo resort, as well as the resorts and hotels in the Dominicus and Bayahibe areas. It is also convenient for those staying in Santiago de los Caballeros, Jarabacoa, or Constanza. If you're visiting Puerto Plata, La Romana Airport can be a more affordable option, despite the one-hour drive to the north.

However, if you plan to spend most of your time in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, or Samaná, you may want to consider alternative airports. La Romana Airport is a small airport with limited Wi-Fi access, and it may not be the most convenient option for all travellers.

Samaná El Catey Airport (AZS)

The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, each located on the coastline near the country's most popular provinces and tourist destinations. One of these airports is Samaná El Catey International Airport (IATA: AZS, ICAO: MDCY), also called Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Juan Bosch (AISA). The airport is based in El Catey/Samana, serving the province of Samaná in the Dominican Republic. It is located near the village of El Catey, around 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Sánchez, at the base of the mountainous peninsula Cape Samaná.

Samaná El Catey International Airport opened on the 6th of November 2006. With over 122,000 passengers in 2023, it is the sixth busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. The airport's new runway is 3000 m x 45 m, flexible pavement load-rated PCN 66 F/A/W/T, designed to accommodate large aircraft such as a Boeing 747. The terminal can handle four Boeing 747 planes simultaneously, with a peak flow of 600 passengers per hour.

The airport is the most convenient option for flying to and from the Samaná Peninsula, as it is the closest airport to this remote location. It is approximately a 30-minute drive from the airport to Las Terrenas and a 40-minute drive to the provincial capital, Santa Bárbara de Samaná. It takes about an hour to drive to Las Galeras from the airport.

As of March 2025, there are two airlines operating from Samaná El Catey International Airport, Air Canada and Air Transat, with Air Transat accounting for 61% of all departures. The airport offers scheduled passenger traffic to three destinations. The most frequently departed route is to Montreal (YUL) in Canada, with an average of two flights every week. There are also flights to Toronto (YYZ), which is the route with the longest flight time, taking approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes.

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