Jazmin Li
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is a privately owned commercial airport in Punta Cana, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The airport was built by Grupo Punta Cana and designed by architect Oscar Imbert. It is known for its open-air terminals with roofs covered in palm fronds. PUJ is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, serving as a gateway to Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. With an average annual growth rate of over 11% since the early 2000s, the airport currently handles over 7.8 million passengers and 21,000 aircraft arrivals per year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Eastern tip of the Dominican Republic |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 7.8 million |
| Aircraft Arrivals per Year | 21,787 |
| Terminals | 5 (2 for international commercial flights) |
| Runways | 2 |
| Gates | 31 |
| Facilities | Baby changing rooms, kid's play area, pharmacy, restaurants, cafes, bars, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, post office, VIP services, advertising spaces, free Wi-Fi |
| Awards | 2009 Conde Nast World Savers Award for advancements in ecological sustainability |
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What You'll Learn
Location and history
Punta Cana International Airport (IATA: PUJ) is an international commercial airport located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. It is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the capital, Santo Domingo, and 24 miles from the beach area of Uvero Alto. The airport is within the main town of Punta Cana, but most resorts are located along the coast outside of this populated area.
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 or runways, and the area was very secluded from the rest of the Dominican Republic. In the late 1970s, a road was built to connect Punta Cana with the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey. Tourists 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.
In January 1984, Punta Cana had its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by the Puerto Rican airline Prinair. That year, the airport received 2,976 passengers. The airport's first expansion was in 1986, extending the runway to accommodate jet aircraft and expanding the terminal's check-in area. The control tower also received new radar systems. In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States began, with Miami International Airport.
The second expansion came in 1988, with the addition of a new taxiway. In 1989, the first private jets started flying to the airport, and another expansion began to extend the runway to 10,171 feet. This expansion was completed in late 1990, allowing long-haul jets to fly to Punta Cana.
Today, Punta Cana International Airport is the Dominican Republic's leading destination, connecting with 64 cities, 26 countries, 90 airports, and 52 airlines. It handles over 7.8 million passengers annually, representing over 67% of all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic. The airport has experienced an average growth rate of over 11% year over year since the early 2000s.
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Facilities and services
Punta Cana International Airport is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, serving as a key gateway to the United States, Canada, South America, and parts of Europe. With over 7.8 million passengers annually, it is the second most popular airport in the Caribbean. The airport has experienced an impressive average growth rate of over 11% year-over-year since the early 2000s.
Punta Cana International Airport has a range of facilities and services to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers. Here is a detailed overview of what you can expect:
Terminals: The airport has five terminals, with Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (also known as Terminals A and B) being the primary terminals for international commercial flights. The VIP Terminal, located east of the International Terminal, offers exclusive services and requires prior permission from airport management for usage.
Dining and Shopping: The airport features a food court with familiar brands such as Wendy's, Cinnabon, Segafredo's, and Skybar. Passengers can also purchase souvenirs and duty-free items, including liquor and tobacco.
Mother's Room: A dedicated space called "Sala de Lactancia" in Terminal A provides comfortable seating, end tables, changing tables, and electrical outlets for nursing mothers, offering a quiet and convenient environment for breastfeeding.
Wi-Fi and Advertisement Spaces: The airport provides free Wi-Fi access for passengers. Additionally, it offers advertisement spaces in key areas such as arrivals, departures, check-in, access ramps, immigration, and waiting areas, allowing brands to reach an average of 20,000 passengers daily.
Cargo Hub: The Punta Cana International Airport Cargo Hub serves as a distribution centre connecting South America, the United States, Canada, and Europe. It includes infrastructural facilities and cold rooms for perishable products like flowers, fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
Other Amenities: The airport offers essential services such as currency exchange, a pharmacy, baby changing rooms, and a kid's play area. It also has a post office for sending and receiving packages. Additionally, luggage trolleys are available, and a lost and found section assists with lost items.
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Passenger information
Punta Cana International Airport is an international commercial airport located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. Over 7.8 million passengers currently arrive through PUJ annually, making it the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. 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% year-over-year since the early 2000s. With over 21,787 aircraft arrivals per year, PUJ is a key gateway airport for Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. The airport has two runways and two terminals for international commercial flights, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are also referred to as Terminals A and B.
For passengers, the airport offers a range of facilities and services. These include restaurants and bars, with familiar brands such as Wendy's, Cinnabon, and Segafredo's, as well as a Skybar. There is also a food court, duty-free shopping, a pharmacy, baby changing rooms, and a kid's play area. The airport provides free Wi-Fi, and advertising spaces are available for brands to reach the average of 20,000 passengers passing through each day.
In terms of practical information for passengers, a valid passport with two blank pages is required to enter the Dominican Republic. The airlines apply an extra $10 to plane tickets on behalf of the Dominican government, which reduces the time spent in customs. By Dominican law, there is also a US$20 departure tax, typically included in airfare. Passengers should arrive at least three hours before their departure time for additional security screening measures required for all international flights to the U.S.
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Customs and security
Customs Procedures:
Punta Cana International Airport facilitates customs procedures for arriving and departing passengers. It provides a customs phone number, 809-959-0074, for assistance and lost and found inquiries. The airport also offers a VIP whisking service, which includes expedited customs clearance and escort services through the airport. This service must be requested in advance and is subject to availability.
Security Measures:
The airport implements security measures to ensure the safety of travellers. These include:
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements for international flights to the United States, including guidelines for carrying powder-like substances.
- Screening procedures for passengers and their baggage, including X-ray scans and checks for prohibited items.
- Additional passenger screening measures for international flights to the United States, as mandated by the Department of Homeland Security.
- Recommendations for travellers to arrive early, especially during high season, to allow sufficient time for security checks and documentation.
- Advisories for travellers to prepare necessary documentation, such as visas and passports, and to keep them readily accessible during customs and immigration checks.
- General security guidelines, such as marking luggage with name and contact information, securing belongings at all times, and taking appropriate security precautions.
Traveller Amenities:
Punta Cana International Airport also provides various amenities to enhance the travel experience:
- A Mother's Room in Terminal A, equipped with comfortable seating, a changing table, and electrical outlets, catering to nursing mothers.
- Accessibility features, including dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchair users and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, elderly travellers, and those with babies.
- A range of restaurants, bars, and shopping options within the terminals, offering convenience and familiarity to travellers.
- A pharmacy, baby changing rooms, and a kid's play area to meet the diverse needs of travellers.
- Free Wi-Fi access throughout the airport, enabling travellers to stay connected during their journey.
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Airlines and destinations
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. It is the country's leading destination, connecting with 64 cities, 26 countries, 90 airports, and 52 airlines. The airport is the gateway to the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Over 7.8 million passengers arrive at PUJ each year, with over 21,700 aircraft arrivals.
The airport's history began in 1971 when Grupo Puntacana built a small airstrip in the area. In 1984, it received its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 20 passengers on board. This marked the beginning of an increase in demand for jet aircraft accommodation, leading to the airport's first expansion in 1986. The runway was extended, and the terminal was renovated.
In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States was established with Miami International Airport. This was followed by new routes from other Caribbean airlines, and by 1989, the airport was receiving its first private jets. The runway was further extended to accommodate long-haul jets, and the airport underwent several expansions to increase its capacity.
Today, PUJ is a modern airport with two runways and five terminals, two of which are used for international commercial flights (Terminals 1 and 2, also known as Terminals A and B). The airport offers a range of facilities and services, including restaurants, bars, duty-free shopping, a pharmacy, baby changing rooms, and a kid's play area. It also provides special spaces for nursing mothers and free Wi-Fi for passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Punta Cana International Airport is located on the eastern side of the Dominican Republic.
The airport code for Punta Cana International Airport is PUJ.
The airport has a food court, cafes, bars, restaurants, a pharmacy, baby changing rooms, a kid's play area, free Wi-Fi, a post office, and a VIP terminal.
Airlines operating from the airport include Aeroméxico, American Airlines, and Skyservice.
Grupo Puntacana built the airport, which was designed by architect Oscar Imbert, and inaugurated it in December 1983. It was the first privately-owned international airport in the world.
