Dominican Republic Surpasses 3,800 Private Aviation Operations in 2026 as Flying Caribbean Adventure Returns
Montecristi, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic continues to cement its position as the Caribbean’s leading destination for general aviation. As of mid-April 2026, the country has logged 3,882 non-commercial private aviation operations since January — a milestone that underscores a sustained upward trend that began in 2024 and shows no signs of slowing.
The latest arrival came this Tuesday, when five general aviation aircraft landed at Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata, carrying approximately 10 visitors who departed from Miami as part of the Flying Caribbean Adventure, the annual fly-in coordinated by veteran U.S. aviation promoter Jim Parker.
From Puerto Plata to Montecristi
After clearing in at Puerto Plata, the group continued to Osvaldo Virgil Domestic Airport in Montecristi, where they were welcomed by a reception committee from the Dominican Airport Department (DA), along with municipal mayor Jesús Jerez, provincial and regional directors from the Ministry of Tourism — Torre Marichal and Radhamés Arias — as well as representatives from IDAC and the Tourism Police (POLITUR).
Parker expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, noting that several participants were visiting the Dominican Republic for the first time. Over three days, the group explored Montecristi’s mangroves, learned about banana and rice cultivation, and hiked the iconic El Morro — an experience that goes well beyond the typical Caribbean fly-in.
The Numbers Behind the Growth
The scale of this growth becomes clear when looking at the data across airports. In January 2026, La Romana led with 482 operations, followed by El Higüero (Presidente Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport) with 410, and Punta Cana with 380. Domestic airports also contributed significantly: Cabo Rojo (185), Osvaldo Virgil (153), El Catey (144), Expedición 14 de Junio (75), and Arroyo Barril (6) — totaling 1,960 operations for the month.
February 2026 saw El Higüero take the top spot with 478 operations, followed by La Romana (402), Punta Cana (318), Cabo Rojo (252), Gregorio Luperón (144), El Catey (128), Osvaldo Virgil (94), Expedición 14 de Junio (88), and Arroyo Barril (18) — for a monthly total of 1,922 operations.
Looking back, 2025 recorded 18,909 general aviation operations across all airports — with El Higüero (4,798) and Punta Cana (4,466) leading the pack. In 2024, total operations reached 13,951, with Punta Cana (3,942) and El Higüero (3,478) again at the top.
$400 Million Annual Economic Impact
Beyond the flight logs, the economic significance is substantial. Since 2024, general aviation — driven primarily by private jets and executive aircraft linked to tourism — has contributed an estimated $400 million annually to the Dominican economy. That figure reflects the high-spending profile of general aviation visitors and the multiplying effect of their activity across hospitality, ground transportation, and local services.
For a destination actively working to become the number one private aviation hub in the Caribbean, these numbers represent more than statistics — they represent momentum.
— Communications Department, Dominican Republic Airport Department
