Airports Of The Dominican Republic: A Comprehensive Guide

The Dominican Republic is served by seven international airports, each located near the country's most popular provinces and tourist destinations. The airports are fully equipped with duty-free shopping, restaurants, and lounges for business and first-class passengers. The country's busiest airport is Punta Cana International Airport, which also ranks as the second busiest airport in Latin America and the Caribbean. Other major airports include Las Américas International Airport, Cibao International Airport, and Gregorio Luperón International Airport.

Airports in the Dominican Republic

Punta Cana International Airport

The airport is equipped with five terminals, two of which are used for international commercial flights. Terminal A, the older of the two, uses aircraft stairs for passengers to board and exit planes, with wheelchair lifts for disabled passengers. Terminal B, completed in 2014, has seven airbridges, three of which are for wide-body aircraft, and can accommodate 6,500 travellers daily and over two million annually.

The airport has a significant role as a gateway to the Dominican Republic from the United States, Canada, South America, and parts of Europe. In 2022, over 8.3 million passengers passed through the airport, with almost 50,000 commercial aircraft operations. In 2023, the airport accounted for 60% of all air arrivals in the country. It serves 90 airports across 26 countries.

The airport's history began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the "Punta Cana Club" hotel and a small airstrip. In the late 1970s, a road was constructed to connect the area to Higüey, the capital of La Altagracia Province. However, the airstrip had issues, including a short runway and the lack of a terminal, leading Grupo Puntacana to plan the first private international airport. Construction began in 1982, and the airport was inaugurated in December 1983. The airport has since undergone multiple expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and larger aircraft.

Las Américas International Airport

The airport opened in 1959 as the official airport of Ciudad Trujillo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, with the city subsequently changing its name to Santo Domingo. The official name of the airport was changed in 2002 to "Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas- José Francisco Peña Gómez (AIJFPG)". However, it is commonly referred to as "Las Américas International Airport", or locally as "Las Américas Airport, AILA" or "El Aeropuerto".

Las Américas is the busiest cargo hub in the Caribbean and Central America, with 355 million pounds of cargo transported in 2019. The airport has two terminals and serves numerous international airlines, including Delta, JetBlue, United, Aeromexico, and Spirit. The check-in process at this airport can be slow, so it is recommended to arrive early and wear comfortable shoes. There is no public transportation available from the airport, so passengers can either rent a car or take a taxi into the city.

The expressway leading from Santo Domingo to the airport has been expanded and modernised recently. Additionally, two more terminals have been added, including 20 more gates. The new expressway crosses a suspension bridge over the Ozama River, connecting traffic to the city's Elevated Freeway and Tunnel system. A more scenic route to the airport follows the coastal shore and offers beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and the city.

Las Américas Airport's runway is the largest in the country and one of the largest in the Caribbean. With a length of 3,355 meters, it can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747. The airport has five gates on the main satellite concourse (A) and four gates on concourse B, with remote stands available for flights departing from the taxiway. The average number of daily flights in and out of Las Américas ranges between 68 and 84, with JetBlue being the largest airline operating at the airport.

Cibao International Airport

The airport mainly serves Dominicans residing in the United States, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Puerto Rico, as well as Haitians living in the Cibao Region. It also caters to tourists and missionary workers travelling to the Dominican Republic, with new routes to Spain and Colombia. The airport features a main international terminal, a domestic terminal, and a cargo terminal. The international terminal is the most used, with modern facilities that make checking in, boarding, and baggage claim convenient for passengers.

The airport offers short and long-term parking, as well as public transportation options. Passenger services include a VIP lounge, Wi-Fi, shops, and restaurants. Additionally, the airport prioritises environmental preservation and community initiatives, such as reforestation and educational programmes.

Gregorio Luperón International Airport

The Gregorio Luperón International Airport, also known as Puerto Plata Airport, is located in Puerto Plata on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. The airport is named after General Gregorio Luperón, a prominent figure in Dominican history who served as a military and state leader.

The airport opened in 1979 with the goal of boosting tourism in the North region. It is equipped with a runway that is 3,081 metres long and 46 metres wide, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the B-747 and A-340. The airport has a single terminal building that handles international flights and is the fourth busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic, serving over 704,000 passengers.

The terminal building has undergone remodelling, with new floors, escalators, an immigration hall, a departure hall, and duty-free areas. The terminal can accommodate four Boeing 747-400s simultaneously after renovations made in 2013-2014. The airport offers various amenities, including shops, restaurants, car rental services, currency exchange, complimentary Wi-Fi, luggage storage, electronic charging stations, and lounges.

Several airlines operate flights to and from the airport, including American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing Airlines. The airport is easily accessible by transportation options such as taxis, hotel shuttles, and car rentals.

La Romana International Airport

The airport is a leader in private local and international flights in the Dominican Republic. It caters to a range of travellers, including businessmen, international state officials, and celebrities. Airlines such as American Eagle offer daily direct flights between Miami and La Romana Airport, with recent additions like the Executive Class enhancing passenger capacity and comfort. Eurowings also operates flights to La Romana, with its first flight departing from Cologne, Germany.

When planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, it is essential to choose the airport closest to your destination. La Romana International Airport is best if you plan to stay at Casa de Campo, in La Romana, or in Bayahibe. However, if you intend to spend most of your time in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, you may consider alternative airports to avoid unnecessary travel time.

Frequently asked questions