Santo Domingo.– The Secretariat of Aeronautical Affairs of the Fuerza del Pueblo, led by journalist and lawyer Manuel Brito, expressed its concern regarding the recently approved increase in airport fees, considering that the measure makes air transport more expensive, affects the competitiveness of the Dominican Republic as a tourist and investment destination, and impacts the Dominican diaspora.
The political organization pointed out that, although the country does not have the highest specialized airport tax in Latin America and the Caribbean, it does rank among the nations with the highest tax and levy burden applied to the final cost of airline tickets when all the charges that the passenger must assume are added up.
According to the Secretariat, studies by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and analyses on the sector’s competitiveness reflect that the average of specific taxes on air transport in Latin America and the Caribbean is around US$20 per passenger, while in the Dominican Republic that burden would be higher.
The entity indicated that sector specialists estimate that the country collects around US$29.50 per passenger in specific air transport taxes and that, following the new increases, that figure would exceed US$39 per passenger, which would place the country in a less competitive position compared to other markets in the region.
Manuel Brito stated that air transport represents a strategic axis for national development and that the increase in costs could affect the arrival of visitors, the opening of new routes, and international connectivity.
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“The Dominican Republic cannot aspire to consolidate itself as a logistics, tourism, and aeronautical hub of the Caribbean while it continues to increase the cost of traveling to our territory. International competitiveness is also built through public policies that stimulate air connectivity rather than making it more expensive,” he stated.
The Secretariat recalled that nearly 85% of tourists arriving in the country do so by air, while millions of Dominicans living abroad use this means of transport to maintain their family, commercial, and cultural ties with the nation.
Likewise, he maintained that increases in airport fees end up being reflected in the final price of tickets, which could reduce the attractiveness of the Dominican destination compared to other countries in the Caribbean and Central America that implement policies to strengthen air connectivity.
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The organization also warned about the impact that these measures may have on the Dominican diaspora, considering that every increase in travel costs affects those who travel periodically to the country and contribute to the national economy through their remittances.
From the perspective of international aviation policy, the Secretariat indicated that the trend in other markets is to use fees and taxes as tools to boost air transport growth, attract investment, and expand connectivity.
In that sense, he recalled that organizations such as IATA have warned that excessive tax burdens can reduce passenger demand, limit new air operations, and affect economic growth linked to aviation.
He also pointed out that the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) establish that charges related to air activity must be oriented towards the maintenance and improvement of aeronautical infrastructure and services, based on criteria of transparency and efficiency.
Brito maintained that the Dominican Republic must review its airport fee and tax policy to strengthen its position as a tourist destination and regional connectivity hub.
“It is not just about raising more resources. It is about understanding that every additional dollar added to the price of a ticket can influence the decision of a tourist, of an airline to open a new route, or of a Dominican living abroad who wishes to visit their country,” he stated.
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Finally, the Secretariat of Aeronautical Affairs of the Fuerza del Pueblo called on the Government, aeronautical authorities, the tourism sector, and airlines to promote a dialogue that allows for the review of the airport tax structure based on criteria of competitiveness, sustainability, and economic development.
The entity stated that the Dominican Republic has the conditions to become a benchmark for air connectivity in the Caribbean, but considered it necessary to promote policies that reduce economic barriers to air transport and strengthen national competitiveness.
