Arajet
, the Dominican Republic-based airline, has scheduled two services from two Dominican cities to San Juan, Puerto Rico, opening up more connections from Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.
Arajet’s expansion into the US
On February 17, Arajet announced that starting from June 5, it will launch flights between Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) and San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) with a Boeing 737 MAX 8
.
The airline noted that its flights between Santo Domingo and San Juan would operate four times per week. AeroRoutes flagged that Arajet also plans to begin flights from Punta Cana to San Juan on June 6, offering passengers three weekly flights on the route.
Furthermore, the Dominican carrier said that starting April 11, it will begin flying between Santo Domingo and Miami International Airport
(MIA) and services from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) to Miami on June 13.
Photo: Arajet
Victor Pacheco, the chief executive officer (CEO) and founder of Arajet, remarked that the airline was excited to welcome United States tourists and the Dominican diaspora with low fares to the Dominican Republic.
“Miami, San Juan, and coming soon New York represent strong tourism markets, and beginning US operations with flights from these cities is the next step towards realizing our vision of the DR as a new travel hub of the continent.”
Arajet noted that in just two years of operations, it has helped the local tourism sector and flown more than 1.2 million passengers in 2024. The new US routes mark a significant milestone for the airline, it added.
“An Important Milestone”: Arajet Shares Details On Beginning New Service To 3 US Cities
The airline is planning to fly to three cities in the United States from the Dominican Republic.
Flights to New York coming soon
The Dominican carrier said that while it will begin its US flights with direct connections between the Dominican Republic and Miami in April, its pending services to New York should launch in June.
Arajet noted that this would become the first direct flight between the Dominican Republic and New York in 30 years. However, data from the aviation analytics company Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning tool showed that, at least since 2020, several US-based carriers have flown from The Big Apple and the Dominican Republic.
Photo: Arajet
“[…] and plans to expand from there with the first direct flight between the DR and New York in 30 years expected to start in June 2025.”
In June alone, 
American Airlines
, 
Delta Air Lines
, JetBlue
, and 
United Airlines
have scheduled 300 weekly departures from New York to the Dominican Republic, including 100 weekly itineraries to the capital, Santo Domingo.
It also remains unclear which New York area airport Arajet would utilize and whether that would be New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
(JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport
(EWR). While unlikely, New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) could also be an option.
Related
New York, Miami & Puerto Rico: Arajet Announces Long-Awaited US Debut
The airline anticipates launching its US route network in the second quarter of 2025.
Objections to US operations
On March 1, 2023, Arajet requested the US Department of Transportation ( DOT
) to allow the airline to operate flights between the Dominican Republic and the US, including Miami, New York, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“With respect to the portion of its application to serve New York, the applicant indicates that its request encompasses John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and New York Stewart International Airport (SWF).”
However, six individuals filed objections to Arajet’s application. The DOT summarized that the six stakeholders identified “a problematic operating and organizational history of the applicant,” including the fact that Arajet was initially established as Dominican Wings and then was renamed to flycana in 2014.
Photo: Arajet
“The Objecting Parties make numerous allegations of flaws and a lack of transparency in the homeland licensing action of Arajet undertaken by the Dominican Republic authorities. They assert their belief that the applicant is an unlawful entity operating with the support of nepotism and direct political support by various corrupt Dominican aviation authorities and other government officials.”
In response, Arajet said that it had been licensed by the Dominican Republic’s authorities to conduct flights to the US, adding that it completed licensing processes in 11 other countries.
“It contends that the issuance of its various homeland licenses reflects the Government of the Dominican Republic’s formal confirmation of the carrier’s economic and operational authority pursuant to the provisions of the bilateral agreement that authorize Arajet’s proposed operations.”
The DOT approved Arajet’s services to the US on December 19, 2024. The Dominican carrier was granted a two-year exemption to operate flights to Miami, New York, and San Juan.
Related
Arajet Welcomes 10th Boeing 737 MAX 8 With Dominican Flag Livery As It Eyes US Flights
Arajet reiterated its desire to begin flights to the United States, despite objections from several stakeholders.
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Publish date : 2025-02-19 03:19:00
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