PEDERNALES, Dominican Republic — Construction of the new Cabo Rojo International Airport in Pedernales continues to advance according to schedule, marking another major milestone in the transformation of the Dominican Republic’s southern region into a world-class tourism destination.

During a recent inspection visit, Dominican Republic Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza confirmed that work on the airport is progressing as planned. The visit brought together officials from several government agencies involved in the project, including representatives from the Pro Pedernales Trust, the Airport Department (Departamento Aeroportuario), the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), and the Dominican Electric Transmission Company (ETED).

The future airport, located in the Tres Charcos community of Oviedo, Pedernales, is expected to become a key gateway for visitors traveling to the rapidly developing Cabo Rojo tourism destination, one of the most ambitious tourism and infrastructure projects currently underway in the Caribbean.

Paliza Continues to Oversee Key Infrastructure Projects

Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza has played a central role in coordinating the Dominican Republic government’s efforts to advance strategic infrastructure projects, including the ongoing development of Cabo Rojo and Pedernales.

As one of the government’s leading officials overseeing major public investments, Paliza has regularly visited project sites throughout the country to monitor progress, facilitate coordination among agencies, and ensure that construction timelines remain on track.

His latest inspection of the Cabo Rojo International Airport reflects the administration’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the southwest region, an area that has historically received less investment than other tourism destinations in the Dominican Republic.

During the visit, Paliza met with representatives from multiple government institutions, contractors, and private-sector partners involved in the project. The working session focused on reviewing construction milestones, coordinating operational requirements, and ensuring that the airport’s development remains aligned with the broader vision for Cabo Rojo and Pedernales.

Government officials view the airport as one of the cornerstone projects that will help unlock new opportunities for tourism, employment, and economic growth across the southern region of the country.

Runway Paving Scheduled to Begin

Officials reported that the airport’s runway has reached the stage where asphalt paving is about to begin. Current projections indicate that the runway could be completed by September, bringing the project significantly closer to operational readiness.

Inspectors reviewed progress on several critical components of the airfield, including:

• The main runway
• Taxiways connecting the runway to aircraft parking areas
• Airfield drainage systems
• Internal road infrastructure
• Electrical distribution systems

These elements are essential for ensuring safe and efficient airport operations once commercial flights begin serving the region.

New Airport to Support Cabo Rojo Tourism Development

According to Minister Paliza, the new airport will serve as a strategic transportation hub for the entire southwest region of the Dominican Republic.

“We are here to coordinate and monitor every aspect of this major infrastructure project,” Paliza said during the visit. “This airport will be an important support system for the future Cabo Rojo tourism destination and will become a driver of economic growth throughout the southern region of the country.”

The government views the airport as a critical component of the broader Pedernales development initiative, which includes new hotels, cruise facilities, roads, utilities, and tourism infrastructure designed to attract international visitors.

Control Tower Expected by December

Project officials also confirmed that construction of the airport’s air traffic control tower is expected to be completed by December.

The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) has already begun the procurement process for essential air navigation and communication equipment, including:

• Air traffic control cabin systems
• Radio communication equipment
• VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) navigation systems
• Additional aviation support technology

These systems will be necessary to ensure compliance with international aviation standards and support future domestic and international flight operations.

Strategic Importance for Dominican Aviation

The Cabo Rojo International Airport is expected to significantly improve air connectivity to Pedernales, a province known for its pristine beaches, ecological attractions, and proximity to protected natural areas such as Jaragua National Park.

Currently, travelers visiting Pedernales often face lengthy road transfers from airports in other regions of the Dominican Republic. The new airport will provide direct access to the destination, making it more attractive to airlines, tour operators, investors, and tourists.

Industry experts believe the airport will play a major role in stimulating tourism growth, creating jobs, increasing foreign investment, and supporting long-term economic development throughout the southwest region.

The Future of Air Travel in Pedernales

As construction continues on schedule, the Cabo Rojo International Airport is steadily moving toward becoming one of the Dominican Republic’s newest aviation gateways.

Once completed, the facility will support the country’s expanding tourism sector while strengthening connectivity between Pedernales and major international markets across North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

For travelers, airlines, and tourism investors, the project represents another significant step in the evolution of Pedernales into one of the Caribbean’s most promising emerging destinations.

Source: Dominican Republic Airport Department (Departamento Aeroportuario)