Dominican aviation is entering a new era with the official launch of Arajet, the country’s first low-cost carrier. After receiving four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, the airline announced it will begin operations with 13 destinations across 9 countries, offering between two and five weekly frequencies, with fares ranging from USD 54 to USD 140 per leg.
First Routes: Barranquilla and Cali
On September 15, Arajet will inaugurate its first international route to Barranquilla (BAQ), Colombia, with flight DM 3010 departing from Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo at 06:30 and landing in Barranquilla at 07:10 (local time).
The second destination will be Cali (CLO), with flight DM 3230 departing at 18:20 from Santo Domingo and arriving in Valle del Cauca at 20:05.
In this initial phase, all flights will operate out of SDQ, with additional destinations including San Salvador, San José, Guatemala City, Monterrey, Cancún, and St. Maarten. Notably, after more than a decade, the Dominican Republic will once again have direct connections to El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Next Phase of Expansion
Arajet has already mapped out a second growth stage, which will add routes to Montreal and Toronto in Canada; Kingston in Jamaica; Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador; and Medellín/Rionegro and Bogotá in Colombia.
According to CEO Víctor Pacheco, the airline’s launch “marks the rebirth of Dominican aviation,” with the goal of transporting over 7 million passengers per year within five years, while turning Santo Domingo into a strategic Caribbean hub.
Fares and Onboard Services
As a low-cost airline, Arajet offers three fare bundles:
- Smart: includes online check-in and one personal item.
- Comfort: adds a 20kg checked bag, seat selection, and free flight changes.
- Extra: includes a 12kg carry-on, priority boarding, seat selection, and up to three changes without penalty.
Additional services are available à la carte, including:
- Preferred seats: USD 61
- Front row or exit row seats: USD 25
- Checked bag (20kg): from USD 24.99
- Carry-on (12kg): USD 39.99
- Priority boarding: USD 8.99
- Pets: USD 69.99 (service and emotional support animals are free with valid certification).
From Dominican Wings to Arajet: A Journey of Transformation
Arajet traces its roots back to 2014, when it launched as DW Dominican Wings, operating charter flights with leased Airbus A320 aircraft. In 2018, it rebranded as Flycana, aiming to transform into an ultra-low-cost carrier.
In 2020, the rise of SkyCana prompted a final rebrand to Arajet. That same year, the airline shocked the industry by announcing an order for up to 35 Boeing 737-8200s—the high-density variant of the MAX 8—becoming the first airline in the Americas to do so.
The company expects delivery of a fifth MAX aircraft soon under an agreement with Griffin Global Asset Management, and has requested approval for 116 routes, including 23 initial destinations from the Dominican Civil Aviation Board.
Economic Impact and Long-Term Vision
Arajet forecasts the creation of over 4,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect jobs in the next five years, while boosting regional connectivity. Its long-term ambition is to position Santo Domingo as a hub capable of competing with Copa Airlines’ stronghold in Panama and Viva’s growing network in Medellín.
With its promise of ultra-low fares never before seen in the Dominican Republic, Arajet is not only a new airline but also a potential game-changer in Caribbean and Latin American aviation.