Dominican Republic and Paraguay seal agreement to strengthen air connectivity

Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Republic and Paraguay signed a new Air Services Agreement on the opening day of the ICAO World Conference on Air Services Agreement Negotiations (ICAN2025), hosted for the first time in Santo Domingo.

The agreement was signed by Nelson Mendoza Rolón, president of Paraguay’s National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, and Héctor Porcella, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) of the Dominican Republic. The deal marks a key step toward strengthening bilateral air connectivity and tourism cooperation between the two nations.

The signing comes as Paraguay finalizes negotiations with Arajet to establish direct flights from Asunción to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, which could begin operations in early 2026. Paraguay’s Secretary of Tourism, Anguie Duarte de Melillo, noted that both countries recognize tourism as a major driver of economic growth, emphasizing their shared goal to boost travel and trade.

Held from November 10 to 14, ICAN2025 brings together global aviation authorities to expand international air transport networks. During the event, the Dominican Republic plans to hold 18 bilateral meetings and sign new Air Service Agreements (ASAs) with Oman, El Salvador, Greece, and Paraguay, while initiating talks with Eswatini, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), Zimbabwe, and Benin.

Officials highlighted that these efforts reinforce the Dominican Republic’s strategy to position itself as a regional hub for air connectivity and tourism.