AILA to use taxiway as backup runway amid ongoing infrastructure maintenance

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Airport Commission has been briefed on a joint initiative by Aerodom and the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) to address the increasing need for operational closures at José Francisco Peña Gómez International Airport (AILA) due to the aging main runway. The plan aims to minimize disruptions to airport operations while ensuring safety during critical maintenance periods.

Runway maintenance is vital for safety and includes routine inspections and periodic resurfacing. In 2023, Aerodom invested over US$3 million in runway 17-35, renewing and rehabilitating over 111,000 square meters of pavement during nighttime closures.

Looking ahead, longer closures may be required for more extensive structural repairs. To maintain flight operations during these periods, the project proposes repurposing taxiway Juliet—used previously from 2007 to 2009—as an auxiliary runway.

Following a technical assessment, IDAC certified in March 2025 that taxiway Juliet complies with national aeronautical safety standards. The project includes structural enhancements to ensure the taxiway can support operational loads, enabling continued airport functionality, minimized disruptions, and safer maintenance scheduling.