President Abinader confirms open skies agreement with US to lower airfares

Santo Domingo.– President Luis Abinader has announced that the government will sign an open skies agreement with the United States in the coming weeks. This agreement aims to foster increased competition in commercial aviation, ultimately resulting in cheaper airfares between the two countries.

The president revealed that the agreement will be finalized soon after years of negotiation, which involved various stakeholders in the aeronautical sectors of both the Dominican Republic and the United States.

“We are prepared to sign,” stated President Abinader upon his arrival in Washington, where he was honored at the 54th Conference of the Americas, gathering major investment firms from Latin America.

President Abinader emphasized that restrictions on competition in commercial aviation with the United States have historically contributed to high airfare prices, particularly affecting the Dominican diaspora residing in the US and their families.

The US embassy in Santo Domingo has also emphasized the importance of signing this agreement, asserting that it will provide passengers with more service options between both destinations. Under a modern open skies agreement, airlines can offer more affordable air services by reducing limitations on establishing routes between the two countries.

President Abinader suggested that the agreement may be signed after the presidential and congressional elections scheduled for May 19.

Furthermore, the president explained that in addition to expanding North American airline routes, Dominican airlines will no longer face restrictions on their destinations within the United States. This means that Dominican travelers can expect new flight options, lower fares, and improved service from a broader range of airlines in the market.