Spanish
New Jersey / Newark. – “During peak season, prices reached up to $8,000 for a family of four. It was an abuse.” With those words, the Dominican-American congressman, Adriano Espaillat, celebrated the historic first flight of the Dominican airline Arajet from Santo Domingo to Newark, New Jersey, marking a before and after for the diaspora and frequent travelers between both countries.
Espaillat was emphatic in pointing out that Arajet's entry into the US market, after 30 years without a Dominican airline offering direct flights, is already transforming the landscape: "Thanks to this bilateral agreement, we are already seeing prices of $400 round trip for August, while other airlines remain at 700 and 800”, he affirmed.You might be interested in: http://David Collado inaugurates Arajet's non-stop flight to Newark
The impact is not only economic, but deeply social. “More people will be able to visit their families, bring resources to the Dominican Republic, consume in the colmados, pharmacies, hardware stores and salons, thus boosting the local economy, instead of the profits going to Europe as happens with other foreign hotel chains”, added the legislator. The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, for his part, highlighted that this progress is the result of a series of key actions such as the signing of the open skies agreement with the United States, the modification of the Civil Aviation Law and the maintenance of category 1 air safety. "Open skies is not directly lowering prices, it is generating competition, entrepreneurship and competitiveness. That is what is already happening. Today we saw JetBlue offer a special of $209," he indicated.This inaugural flight not only signifies the air reconnection between the Dominican Republic and Newark, but also the beginning of a stage of greater opportunities for the diaspora. The Dominican government expects 43 additional routes requested by Arajet to be authorized, which would further increase pressure on air fares and consolidate a new model of accessible connectivity.
The return of a Dominican airline to the United States after three decades represents much more than a flight; it is a firm step towards a fairer, more competitive aviation focused on the needs of the Dominican people.
