Punta Cana Airport receives ACI World’s APEX Partner Award

Lima, Peru.- Punta Cana International Airport has received the APEX Partner Award from Airports Council International (ACI) World in recognition of its contribution to and collaboration with the Airport Excellence Program (APEX), an initiative focused on sharing knowledge and best practices to improve airport safety and operational performance.

The award was presented during the ACI-LAC/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition (WAGA 2026) in Lima, Peru, as APEX marked its 15th anniversary. The program brings together airport professionals to conduct peer reviews, exchange experiences and identify opportunities for improvement based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, international regulations and industry best practices.

Alberto Smith, Landside Director of Punta Cana Airport, accepted the award on behalf of the airport during the ceremony. The recognition highlights PUJ’s participation in the international airport community and its commitment to knowledge sharing, continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Opened in 1983, Punta Cana Airport is the Dominican Republic and Caribbean’s busiest and most connected airport, linking the region with 81 international airports across 26 countries and handling approximately eight million passengers annually. The facility has two runways, 41 boarding gates, 45 aircraft parking positions and four VIP lounges.

The airport has also received multiple industry recognitions, including ACI’s “Best Airport by Size and Region” award in the 5–15 million passenger category in the Caribbean and Latin America for eight consecutive years from 2015 to 2023. It holds ACI Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation and a four-star SKYTRAX rating.

PUJ has additionally earned Level 3 Carbon Footprint certification and ACI recognition for its hygiene measures, reinforcing its focus on safety, sustainability and passenger experience.