Air Traffic Between Mexico and the Dominican Republic Surges by Over 180% Since 2021
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Air traffic between Mexico and the Dominican Republic has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a more than 180% increase in the number of flights between both countries since 2021. According to data from the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism, outbound flights from Mexico to the Dominican Republic rose from 416 in 2021 to 1,190 in 2024, while the number of Mexican tourists traveling to the Dominican Republic increased by 260% over the same period.
Arajet’s Impact on the Aviation Market
According to the official report, this growth has been driven primarily by Arajet, which began operations in September 2022. The Dominican airline has expanded the availability of direct flights between the two countries, making travel more accessible for tourists, business travelers, and family visits.
Arajet’s CEO and founder, Víctor Pacheco, referred to this phenomenon as the "Arajet effect," emphasizing that the airline’s entry has boosted market competition.
“In the markets where we’ve started flying, we have seen lower prices and overall market growth. This is great for competitiveness, passengers, and both countries,” Pacheco stated.
However, the increase in flights and passenger numbers is not limited to Arajet. The report indicates that all airlines operating in this market have experienced growth. In 2024,
- 33.2% of Mexican passengers arrived in the Dominican Republic via Arajet,
- 29.6% flew with Copa Airlines,
- 26.8% traveled with Aeroméxico.
Non-Stop Flights Between Mexico and the Dominican Republic
The current market for non-stop flights between the Dominican Republic and Mexico includes:
- Aeroméxico – One daily flight between Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Mexico City (MEX).
- Arajet –
- One daily flight between Punta Cana (PUJ) and Cancún (CUN).
- Five weekly flights between Punta Cana (PUJ) and Mexico City (NLU).
- Two weekly flights between Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Cancún (CUN).
- Four weekly flights between Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Mexico City (NLU).
Profile of Mexican Tourists Visiting the Dominican Republic
According to the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, Mexican tourists visiting the country in 2024 were mostly between 20 and 50 years old. Their reasons for travel included:
- 67.9% for tourism,
- 18.6% for business,
- 9.9% to visit family or friends.
Beyond tourism, the rise in air connectivity has also positively impacted trade between the two nations:
- Imports between Mexico and the Dominican Republic grew by 7.8% from 2023 to 2024.
- Exports increased by 23.83%, strengthening commercial ties.
Mexican visitors take advantage of the Dominican Republic’s diverse tourism offerings, including:
- Excursions to Isla Saona
- Buggy and 4-wheel tours
- Snorkeling
- Visits to the Colonial City
- Horseback riding
- Zipline adventures
- Theme park visits
With sustained growth in air connectivity and tourism, airlines and tourism authorities continue to explore opportunities to expand services and improve travel accessibility between Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
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