Dominican authorities oversee upgrades to Air Force runway

Santo Domingo.- High-ranking Dominican officials, including Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza, Airport Department Director Víctor Pichardo, and Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, toured the ongoing modernization of the Dominican Republic Air Force’s airstrip. The first phase of the project focuses on installing lighting and signage—key improvements that will significantly enhance the runway’s night operation capabilities and overall safety.

According to Paliza, this upgrade is part of a broader effort by the Airport Department and the Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) to build a new control tower, install certified lighting systems, and improve infrastructure. These enhancements aim to ensure that the airstrip can serve as a strategic backup to Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in case of natural disasters or emergencies.

Pichardo reported that 1,800 of the runway’s 2,165 meters have already been renovated with new wiring and lighting, and studies are underway to extend the runway by an additional 500 meters. With an investment of over RD$100 million, the project is set to complete its first phase within three months and supports President Luis Abinader’s vision of making the Dominican Republic a regional air hub.