Abinader highlights air connectivity as key to Dominican Republic’s tourism success

Punta Cana.- President Luis Abinader highlighted the Dominican Republic’s position as a regional benchmark in civil aviation, crediting the country’s success to its strong air connectivity, commitment to sustainable development, and ongoing modernization of airport infrastructure. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has praised the Dominican Republic’s liberalization policy, encouraging other member states to adopt similar measures. “Without air connectivity, there is no success in tourism,” President Abinader emphasized during his weekly press conference in Punta Cana.

Since becoming a signatory to the Chicago Convention in 1944, the Dominican Republic has maintained a long-standing partnership with ICAO and is an active member of the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (CLAC). As part of the upcoming ICAN 2025 conference, the country will participate in 18 bilateral meetings to sign or update air services agreements with nations such as Oman, Paraguay, El Salvador, and Greece, while negotiating new accords with countries including Korea, Malaysia, and the Scandinavian states. The Dominican Republic will also lead discussions on memoranda of understanding with Switzerland and Panama, strengthening its role as a key aviation hub.

According to the 2024 World Economic Forum, the nation ranks first in the region for infrastructure and tourism prioritization, and third in air infrastructure. Between 2020 and 2025, 1,310 air routes were authorized, supporting the operations of 305 active airlines and a 49% increase in connectivity across Latin America and the Caribbean. With over 11 million visitors in 2024—equivalent to 103.7% of its population—the Dominican Republic stands as the regional leader in per capita tourism.