Santo Domingo.- The United States and the Dominican Republic formalized the Open Skies aviation agreement on Friday in a ceremony at the National Palace, led by President Luis Abinader and U.S. Undersecretary José W. Fernández. The agreement aims to promote growth, competition, and consumer benefits.
“We welcome the Dominican Republic to join this community of partners committed to maintaining an open and modern air services market,” Fernández stated.
The agreement is expected to strengthen tourism, travel, and trade ties between the two countries. “It will serve the interests of our people by increasing flight availability and reducing costs,” Fernández added.
Highlighting the historical ties between the nations, Fernández noted that 2.4 million people of Dominican descent live in the U.S., while 300,000 American citizens reside in the Dominican Republic. “This agreement will have far-reaching benefits for American and Dominican citizens,” he said.
Additional Benefits
The Open Skies agreement allows Dominican airlines to fly without restrictions to the United States, providing travelers with new flight options, lower fares, and improved service from more airlines.
Dominican travelers will now have the opportunity to fly nonstop to more U.S. destinations beyond the typical New York and Florida routes, reaching less-frequented cities with significant Dominican communities.
American travelers will also benefit from more nonstop options to the Dominican Republic, reducing the need for long connections, allowing more time with family, enjoying the country’s beauty, and boosting tourism revenue in the Dominican Republic.