Puj Airport: Which Country Does It Serve?

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is an international commercial airport located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The airport is privately owned by Grupo Punta Cana and is considered something of a tourist gateway to the Dominican Republic, with over 7.8 million passengers arriving annually, representing over 67% of all tourists visiting the country.

Punta Cana International Airport's history

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is an international commercial airport located in Punta Cana, at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. It is the first privately-owned international airport in the world and is owned by Grupo Puntacana. The airport is the busiest in the Dominican Republic and the second busiest in the Caribbean, after Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

The history of aviation in the Punta Cana region began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the first hotel. In the late 1970s, a road was built to connect the area with the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey. Tourists from various countries started to arrive, but they had to pass through Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo and then take a short flight to Punta Cana. The airstrip had a very short runway and no terminal, which led to an inconvenient experience for passengers. Grupo Puntacana recognised the need for a proper airport and started planning one in 1974. However, the local government disapproved of the project. After eight years of negotiations with the province, a contract was signed to begin construction on the new airport.

Construction on the airport began in early 1982, and the old airstrip was closed down. A temporary airport was set up using a small concrete airstrip, which later became the runway for the new airport. The terminal was completed in under four months, but the runway and tarmac took much longer due to a lack of construction workers and the secluded location. After eight years of persuading the government and two years of construction, the airport finally began operations on 17 December 1983. The runway was 5,000 feet long, capable of accommodating larger propeller planes, and the terminal building was 3,200 square feet in area, assisting 150 passengers every hour and a half. The airport's first international flight arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in January 1984.

The airport underwent its first expansion in 1986, with the runway extended to 7,500 feet to accommodate jet aircraft. The tarmac was also expanded, and the control tower was upgraded with new radar systems. This allowed many more aircraft to land at the airport, and new routes were established from the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. In 1990, the runway was further extended to over 10,000 feet, allowing long-haul jets to fly to the airport for the first time. This led to the arrival of the first long-haul routes from Europe, operated by airlines such as Monarch Airlines, Air Belgium, and Condor.

In 2005, a Skyservice 767-300 suffered a hard landing and bounced multiple times, resulting in a few injuries but no fatalities among the 318 occupants. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service. In 2011, a second runway was opened, making Punta Cana the first airport in the Caribbean with two runways longer than 10,000 feet. This allowed for more long-haul flights from countries such as France, England, and Brazil. Terminal B was inaugurated in 2014, featuring jet bridges and a fully enclosed design. The airport continued to expand its facilities, including a new VIP lounge that opened in 2017. As of 2022, the airport handles over 8.3 million passengers annually and serves 90 airports in 26 countries.

The airport's location in the Dominican Republic

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is located in the Dominican Republic. It is regarded as the second most popular airport in the Caribbean and the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. Over 7.8 million passengers pass through PUJ annually, representing over 67% of all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic. The airport is located on the eastern side of the island, just over 35 minutes from Finest Punta Cana and about two and a half hours from the capital, Santo Domingo.

The history of aviation in the Punta Cana region began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built the "Punta Cana Club" hotel, along with a small airstrip. In the late 1970s, a road was constructed to connect the area with the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey. However, tourists still had to pass through Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo and then take a short flight to Punta Cana. The airstrip had issues, including a very short runway and the absence of a terminal, leading to inconveniences for passengers.

Recognizing the need for a proper airport, Grupo Puntacana began planning the first private international airport in late 1974. After eight years of negotiations with the local government, construction on the new airport commenced in early 1982. The small airstrip was temporarily converted into a concrete airstrip to serve as an airport during construction. The terminal was completed in under four months, while the runway and tarmac took longer due to the secluded location and limited construction workers. The airport finally opened its doors on December 17, 1983, with a 5,000-foot runway capable of accommodating larger propeller planes.

Today, PUJ has experienced remarkable growth, with an average annual growth rate of over 11% since the early 2000s. It serves as a gateway airport for Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. The airport offers a range of facilities, including advertising spaces, special spaces for nursing mothers, dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchairs, priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, elderly individuals, and families with babies, and a variety of dining and shopping options.

Airlines and destinations

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is located in the Dominican Republic. It is the largest airport in the country and the first privately-owned international airport in the world. The airport is located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic and is the main gateway to the tropical paradise of Punta Cana. It has experienced an impressive average growth rate of over 11% year-on-year since the early 2000s.

As of March 2025, there are 37 airlines flying from Punta Cana to 111 airports around the world. Some of the airlines operating at PUJ Airport include Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Europa, Air Transat, American Airlines, Asian Air, AVIANCA, British Airways, Condor, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, LATAM Airlines, Neos, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country Airlines, Sunwing Airlines, United, WestJet, and Xtra Airways. The airport serves 90 airports in 26 countries.

The most frequently departed route from PUJ Airport is to Panama City (PTY) in Panama, with an average of 47 flights every week. Other popular destinations include Frankfurt (FRA) and Brussels (BRU), which are also the two longest flights from PUJ, with a flight time of around 9 hours and 10 minutes.

The airport has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, and a second runway that was opened in 2011, allowing more long-haul flights from countries like France, England, and Brazil. The expansion also included a new control tower, a Terminal Approach Radar Control facility, and an Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS).

Airport facilities and amenities

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The airport is easily accessible by taxi, rental car, or public transport and has experienced an average growth rate of over 11% year-over-year since the early 2000s. With over 7.8 million passengers arriving annually, PUJ serves as the gateway airport for Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States.

Punta Cana International Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers. The airport features a food court with familiar brands such as Wendy's, Cinnabon, and Segafredo's, as well as a Skybar for drinks. Terminal A and Terminal B offer shopping options, including well-known brands such as Victoria's Secret, Hard Rock, Duty-Free Americas, and local products. Each terminal has its own parking lot, and passengers can also take advantage of the airport's VIP services.

For passengers with a layover or those looking to explore, there are dining and shopping options outside the airport, such as Puntacana Village, The Wallz Puntacana, and Bluemall Puntacana. The airport provides advertising spaces in key areas such as arrival, departure, check-in, and immigration, ensuring that brands can reach an average of 20,000 passengers per day.

Punta Cana International Airport also offers essential amenities such as ATMs, currency exchange services, and a Mother's Room in Terminal A, providing a comfortable and private space for nursing mothers. The airport has Wi-Fi access, and passengers can refer to the online manual for instructions on connecting to the network. Additionally, there are nearby hotels that offer convenient access to the airport and provide amenities such as private bathrooms, air conditioning, television, and WiFi.

Passenger arrival and departure processes

Punta Cana International Airport, also known as PUJ Airport, is located in the Dominican Republic. It is the first privately-owned international airport in the world and is the country's leading airport for inbound flights. PUJ Airport has experienced an average growth rate of over 11% year on year since the early 2000s, with over 7.8 million passengers arriving annually. The airport serves as a gateway for Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States.

Arrival:

Passengers arriving at PUJ Airport can expect a smooth and efficient process. The airport is well-equipped to handle international arrivals, with dedicated queues and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies. There are also access ramps for wheelchairs, and digital kiosks in Terminals A and B for automated migration. Passengers can also take advantage of the airport's Wi-Fi network, with clear instructions provided for connecting.

Upon arrival, passengers will pass through immigration and customs. It is important to have a valid passport with two blank pages and to be aware of any required entry fees or taxes. As of April 2018, the tourist card entry fee of US$10 is incorporated into the airfare cost.

Departure:

For departing passengers, PUJ Airport offers a range of services to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience. The airport recommends arriving at least three hours before an international flight to allow sufficient time for check-in and baggage processing. It is also important to be aware of any baggage policies and prohibited items.

When departing the Dominican Republic, passengers must pay a fee per stay and permission for underage migration, according to the duration of their stay. There is also a US$20 departure tax mandated by Dominican law, which is usually included in the airfare cost. However, it is essential to confirm this with the airline before departure.

The airport provides a variety of shopping and dining options, including duty-free items, local products, and familiar brands. There are also special spaces designed for nursing mothers, and a VIP lounge with a pool. Additionally, passengers can take advantage of the rental car services, taxi services, and long-term parking options available at the airport.

Frequently asked questions