Raquel Peña oversees arrival of Arajet’s tenth aircraft

Santo Domingo.- Arajet has welcomed its tenth Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, named “Los Haitises,” featuring the Dominican Republic flag in its design to emphasize Dominicanness and provide travel opportunities for Dominicans, according to the airline.

At the reception ceremony, Vice President Raquel Peña emphasized that Arajet is a platform that showcases the Dominican Republic’s tourist offerings and represents the Government’s support for private initiatives. Peña stated, “We have no ceiling to continue developing our country,” highlighting that Arajet’s fleet expansion demonstrates private and foreign investors’ confidence in the country’s potential.

Arajet CEO and founder, Víctor Pacheco Méndez, expressed gratitude for the support from the Dominican State, which has enabled national airlines to operate within a competitive legal framework, positioning the country as a Latin American aviation power. “This tenth aircraft is special as it increases our connections across the continent and reaffirms our commitment to democratize the skies of Latin America with low prices, top quality, and Dominican service warmth,” Pacheco said. He noted that Arajet currently flies to 23 destinations in 16 countries and aims to fly to the United States in 2024, pending the signing of the open skies treaty.

Pacheco also highlighted that in just a year and a half, Arajet has flown over a million passengers, boosting tourist numbers to the Dominican Republic and transit passengers using Arajet for connections. “The dream of turning the DR into the new Hub of the continent is becoming a reality thanks to our over 400 direct employees, recognized internationally when we were awarded the best new airline in the world in 2023 at the world aviation summit, a source of pride for all Dominicans,” he said.

Pacheco added, “It is an honor for Arajet to name an aircraft ‘Los Haitises,’ a Taíno word meaning high land or land of mountains, one of the most beautiful corners of our country, promoted by the current administration to bring development and hope to the northern Dominicans.”

“Los Haitises,” a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with a 185-seat configuration, arrived from the Boeing factory in Seattle, USA. It joins the fleet alongside other aircraft named after Dominican landmarks such as Pico Duarte, Valle Nuevo, Jaragua, Ojos Indígena, Tres Ojos, Isla Saona, Lago Enriquillo, Laguna Redonda, and Bahía de las Águilas, further establishing the Dominican Republic as the Caribbean Hub.

The event was attended by Vice President Raquel Peña, Arajet CEO Víctor Pacheco Méndez, Boeing’s President for Latin America, Landom Loomis, along with other officials, investors, and company executives.