Lois Larson
The Dominican Republic is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, welcoming over 10 million visitors each year. The country has seven international airports, including Punta Cana (PUJ), the busiest airport in the country and the second busiest in Latin America and the Caribbean. PUJ is privately owned and operated by Grupo Puntacana, a tourism and financial development company. Other notable airports in the country include Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in the capital, Santo Domingo, and Casa de Campo International Airport, also known as La Romana.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 7 international airports |
| Busiest airport | Punta Cana International Airport |
| Owner of the busiest airport | Grupo Puntacana (or Puntacana Group) |
| Number of terminals at the busiest airport | 2 |
| Number of airlines at the busiest airport | 20+ |
| Number of destinations from the busiest airport | 46 |
| Number of passengers at the busiest airport | 3 million+ per year |
| Secondary airport | Las Américas (SDQ) |
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What You'll Learn
Punta Cana International Airport
A major expansion of the airport, funded by Grupo Puntacana and the Puntacana Resort and Club, added modern technology and improved facilities. The $61.9 million expansion included a new check-in terminal, a larger runway, expanded and new taxiways, and a new air traffic control tower. This expansion allows the airport to handle direct flights from Russia and provides it with modern equipment, such as the only Doppler weather radar system in the Dominican Republic.
Where is Ord Airport Located?
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Grupo Puntacana ownership
Grupo Puntacana is a company founded and chaired by Italian-Dominican businessman Frank Rafael Rainieri Marranzini. Rainieri's paternal grandparents, Isidoro Rainieri and Bianca Franceschini, migrated from Bologna, Italy, to the northern Dominican Republic, where they established two hotels and had more than 10 children. Continuing the family tradition in hospitality, Rainieri, along with Theodore Kheel, a New York labour lawyer, purchased a 58-million-square-meter lot on the eastern end of the Dominican Republic in 1969. Their first project was the Punta Cana Club, a 40-guest hotel that was inaugurated in 1971. In 1979, they constructed the Puntacana Hotel, followed by the Punta Cana International Airport in 1984.
In 1997, Rainieri and Kheel partnered with Oscar de la Renta and Julio Iglesias to begin work on the Punta Cana Marina and the real estate development of the area. The residential community developments began in 2000, and six years later, Tortuga Bay opened a boutique hotel designed by Oscar de la Renta. The resort's five private residential communities are known collectively as The Estates: Tortuga, Hacienda, Arrecife, La Marina, and Corales. Corales residents include Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Grupo Puntacana has worked with development-focused entities such as Save The Children, USAID, the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Punta Cana Rotary Club, and the Dominican Government's Ministries of Health and of Culture, among others. The company has also launched several social programs, including the Ciudad Caracolí housing project and the Oscar de la Renta Pediatric Center, which provides primary healthcare to more than 15,000 disadvantaged children from local communities.
Grupo Puntacana is committed to growing in a sustainable manner, in harmony with the environment and surrounding communities. In 1988, they created the Fundacion Ecologica Grupo Puntacana, the first nature preservation and research center in the country, which is now known as the Fundacion Grupo Puntacana. The foundation has launched several environmental and ecological initiatives, including a Sustainability Center dedicated to research, coral restoration programs, preservation of marine species, and protection of endangered animals.
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Las Américas International Airport
The airport is run by Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM), a private corporation based in the Dominican Republic. AERODOM operates under a 25-year concession to build, operate, and transfer six of the country's airports. Las Américas International Airport serves as a hub for numerous Caribbean carriers and all major US carriers, with JetBlue having the largest presence. Additionally, airlines such as Air Europa, Air France, Condor, and Jetairfly offer direct services to Europe.
The airport has a unique 'island style' architecture, featuring large open-air terminals and roofs made of palm fronds. It is served by 24 airlines, offering over 4,000 flights per month to various destinations. The airport's busiest routes are to the US, particularly New York-JFK, with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways collectively operating 14 flights per day. It also has 11 routes to Europe, including Prague, served by Neos and World 2 Fly.
The airport has witnessed a few notable incidents, including the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in 2001 and a Gulfstream IV business jet in 2021, resulting in casualties.
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Tourist destinations
The Dominican Republic is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, welcoming over 10 million visitors each year. The country has seven international airports, including Punta Cana (PUJ), the most prominent tourist hub, and Las Américas (SDQ) in the capital, Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, with over 300 historical sites to visit, including:
- Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor – the first cathedral in the Americas
- Casa del Cordón – thought to be the first stone house in the Americas
- Ruins of the Monasterio de San Francisco – the oldest monastery in the Americas
- Ruins of the Hospital San Nicolas de Bari – the first hospital built in the Americas
- Fortaleza Ozama – the oldest European fortress in the Americas
Punta Cana is known for offering some of the best value for money in the Caribbean, with good deals during the shoulder seasons of May and November. The Bavaro Express bus service connects downtown areas to various destinations, including Punta Cana. Sunscape resorts are also a popular choice for families, offering good food, nice beaches, and additional features like water parks.
The Dominican Republic is ideal for those seeking winter sun, with tropical beaches of powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters, lined with palm trees. Catamaran rentals, snorkelling, and dolphin-spotting tours are also available.
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$8.93
Airport facilities
The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, including Punta Cana (PUJ), the most prominent tourist hub, and Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in the capital. Here is an overview of the facilities at some of the country's airports:
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
Punta Cana International Airport is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, accounting for 64% of all air arrivals in the country. It is privately owned and operated by the Punta Cana Group. The airport offers direct flights from over 28 countries and 96 cities worldwide, with over 5.9 million international passengers arriving each year. PUJ is strategically designed to ensure that guests do not experience disturbances from air traffic or noise. The airport features "island-style" architecture, including large open-air terminals and roofs made of palm fronds. It offers facilities for private jet owners, including airplane storage, fuel, and customs assistance. Additionally, PUJ provides dedicated queues and access ramps for wheelchair users and priority check-in for passengers with disabilities, the elderly, and those travelling with babies. A Mother's Room in Terminal A provides a comfortable space for breastfeeding, with seating, a changing table, and electrical outlets. The airport also offers digital kiosks for automated migration and check-in, reducing waiting times. Various shops and food options are available, including duty-free retailers, a convenience store, a coffee and pastries shop, and a Dominican and international fast-food outlet.
Gregorio Luperón Airport
Gregorio Luperón Airport offers a mix of shops, restaurants, and services. It has ATMs, currency exchange, information desks, and a VIP lounge with snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. The airport caters to private aviation, with Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services, providing facilities for private and corporate jets, including hangars, fuelling, and maintenance.
La Romana International Airport
La Romana International Airport is known for its smaller, more intimate atmosphere compared to larger airports. It offers modern facilities, including VIP lounges and fast-track options, making it popular with private jet owners and high-end travellers. Its proximity to luxury resorts, such as Casa de Campo, makes it a preferred choice for travellers seeking upscale accommodations.
Las Américas International Airport (SDQ)
Las Américas International Airport is the second busiest airport in the Dominican Republic and the capital's airport. It is served by 24 airlines, with over 4,000 flights per month.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, each owned by different entities. For example, Punta Cana International Airport is privately owned by the Puntacana Group.
Punta Cana International Airport is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, serving over 7.8 million passengers annually, which accounts for over 67% of all tourists visiting the country.
Other major airports include Las Américas International Airport in the capital city of Santo Domingo, Gregorio Luperón Airport serving the Puerto Plata region, and Cibao Airport in Santiago de los Caballeros.
