The CEO of Arajet, a fast-growing Dominican Republic-based discount airline, expressed optimism that the recently negotiated Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic will facilitate the airline’s expansion into the U.S. market. Arajet CEO Victor Pacheco hopes that the airline will begin servicing major U.S. destinations such as Miami, the New York area, and San Juan from Santo Domingo and Punta Cana by Christmas. However, he acknowledges that this timeline is ambitious.
The U.S. and the Dominican Republic signed the Open Skies agreement on August 2, marking the 136th such treaty for the U.S. Once ratified by the Dominican Congress and approved by the U.S., the agreement is expected to streamline the process for airlines like Arajet to introduce new routes between the two countries.
Arajet, which commenced operations in September 2022, currently serves 16 countries and 23 destinations with a fleet of 10 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. The airline’s largest investor is Boston-based Bain Capital, and its headquarters are located in Santo Domingo. However, Arajet is preparing to expand its operations further with a new base in Punta Cana, scheduled to open on October 27. The Punta Cana base will launch with 11 new routes, demonstrating the airline’s rapid growth and ambitious expansion plans.
In addition to its U.S. expansion plans, Arajet is set to open a new hub in Punta Cana on October 27. The new base will initially serve 11 routes, further expanding the airline’s regional reach. This move complements Arajet’s headquarters in Santo Domingo and demonstrates its commitment to growing its footprint both domestically and internationally.