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Coordinates: 18°34′00″N 68°21′07″W / 18.56667°N 68.35194°W / 18.56667; -68.35194
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{{Short description|Airport in the Dominican Republic}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
{{Infobox airport
| name = Punta Cana International Airport
| name = Punta Cana International Airport
| nativename = {{smaller|''Aeropuerto Internacional Punta Cana''}}
| nativename = {{smaller|{{lang|es|Aeropuerto Internacional Punta Cana}}}}
| image = Punta Cana International Airport logo.png
| image = Punta Cana International Airport logo.png
| image-width = 200
| image-width = 150
| image2 = PuntaCanaInternationalAirport.JPG
| image2 = Punta Cana (PUJ - MDPC) AN1562239.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| image2-width = 250
| IATA = PUJ
| IATA = PUJ
| ICAO = MDPC
| ICAO = MDPC
| type = Public/Private
| type = Private-owned, Public-use
| owner-oper = Punta Cana Resort and Club/Grupo Punta Cana
| owner-oper = {{nowrap|[[Puntacana Resort and Club]]}}<br>Grupo Puntacana
| city-served = [[Punta Cana|Punta Cana, Higüey, Bávaro]]
| focus_city =[[Gol Linhas Aereas]]
| city-served = [[Punta Cana|Punta Cana, Higuey]]
| location = [[Punta Cana]] in [[La Altagracia|La Altagracia Province]], [[Dominican Republic]]
| opened = {{start date and age|1983|12|17|df=yes}}
| location = [[Punta Cana]] in [[La Altagracia|La Altagracia Province]], Dominican Republic
| elevation-f = 40
| elevation-f = 40
| elevation-m = 12.2
| elevation-m = 12.2
| coordinates = {{coord|18|34|00|N|68|21|07|W|region:DO|display=inline,title}}
| website = [http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/ puntacanainternationalairport.com]
| website = {{URL|www.puntacanainternationalairport.com|puntacanainternationalairport.com}}
| coordinates = {{coord|18|34|00|N|068|21|07|W|region:DO|display=inline,title}}
| operating_base = [[Arajet]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=David |date=2024-07-09 |title= Arajet Seeks To Add Nearly 20 International Routes From Punta Cana |access-date=2024-09-12 | url= https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/arajet-seeks-add-nearly-20-international-routes-punta-cana |website=AviationWeek}}</ref>
| pushpin_map = Dominican Republic
| pushpin_map = Dominican Republic
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Dominican Republic
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Dominican Republic
| pushpin_label = '''MDPC'''
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_label = '''PUJ'''/MDPC
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_label_position = top
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-f = 10,171
| r1-length-f = 10,171
| r1-length-m = 3,100
| r1-length-m = 3,100
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]/[[Concrete]]
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete]]
| r2-number = 09/27
| r2-number = 09/27
| r2-length-f = 10,171
| r2-length-f = 10,171
| r2-length-m = 3,100
| r2-length-m = 3,100
| r2-surface = [[Asphalt]]/[[Concrete]]
| r2-surface = Asphalt concrete
| stat-year = 2015
| stat-year = 2023
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-header = Total passengers
| stat1-data = 6,366,552
| stat1-data = 9,162,782
| stat2-header = Aircraft Operations (2013)
| stat2-header = Aircraft operations
| stat2-data = 52,000
| stat2-data = 55,100
| footnotes = Source: [http://www.bancentral.gov.do/estadisticas_economicas/turismo/ Banco Central República Dominicana]<br>{{Ref|1|1}} Runway 08/26 All traffic.<br>{{Ref|2|2}} Runway 09/27 Light traffic only.</small>
| footnotes = Source: [http://www.bancentral.gov.do/estadisticas_economicas/turismo/ Banco Central República Dominicana]<br />{{Ref|1|1}} Runway 08/26 Main runway.<br />{{Ref|2|2}} Runway 09/27 back up runway.
}}
}}


'''Punta Cana International Airport''' {{airport codes|PUJ|MDPC}} is a privately owned commercial airport in [[Punta Cana]], eastern [[Dominican Republic]]. The airport is built in a traditional Dominican style with open-air terminals with their roofs covered in palm fronds. [http://www.grupopuntacana.com.do/ Grupo PuntaCana] built the Punta Cana International Airport and inaugurated it in 1984. It became the first privately owned international airport in the world.<ref name="puntacanainternationalairport.com">http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/assets/punta-cana-tech-data-fact-sheet_2015.pdf</ref> A number of scheduled and charter airlines fly to Punta Cana. Currently more than 6.3 million passengers (arrivals and departures combined) pass through the terminals, moved by almost 60,000 commercial aircraft operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/airport-services/airport-information |title=– Airport Information |publisher=Puntacanainternationalairport.com |date=}}</ref> The operators of the airport, Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este, S.A. (a private corporation run by [[Puntacana Resort and Club]]),<ref name="puntacanainternationalairport.com"/> expanded the facility in November 2011 with a new runway and Air Traffic Control tower designed to support the robust growth of travel to the region.
'''Punta Cana International Airport''' {{airport codes|PUJ|MDPC}} is a privately owned [[commercial airport]] in [[Punta Cana]], eastern [[Dominican Republic]]. The airport was built with open-air terminals and roofs covered in [[palm frond]]s. Grupo Punta Cana built the airport, which was designed by architect [[Antonio Imbert Barrera#Marriages and family|Oscar Imbert]], and inaugurated it in December 1983.<ref name=":0" /> It is owned by Grupo Punta Cana and became the first privately owned international airport in the world.<ref name=":2" />


The airport is the [[List of the busiest airports in Dominican Republic|busiest in the Dominican Republic]], and the [[List of the busiest airports in the Caribbean|second-busiest of the Caribbean]], only behind [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rico's]] [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport]]. In 2022, more than 8.3 million passengers (arrivals and departures combined) passed through the terminals that year, with almost 50,000 commercial aircraft operations.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Punta Cana Airport Information|url=http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/airport-services/airport-information|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216223229/http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/airport-services/airport-information|archive-date=16 December 2014|access-date=|publisher=Puntacanainternationalairport.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Diario |first=Listin |date=2022-12-27 |title=Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana logra récord de 8 millones de pasajeros en un año |url=https://listindiario.com/economia/2022/12/27/755314/aeropuerto-internacional-de-punta-cana-logra-record-de-8-millones-de-pasajeros-en-un-ano.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=listindiario.com |language=es}}</ref> In 2023, the airport accounted for 60% of all air arrivals in the Dominican Republic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Externa |first=Fuente |date=2023-02-28 |title=Dominican Republic broke record in flight operations in 2022 |url=https://dmklawyers.com/en/dominican-republic-broke-record-in-flight-operations-in-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=DMK Abogados |language=en-US}}</ref> The airport serves 90 airports in 26 countries.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Punta Cana International Airport Official Website|url=http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/index.php|access-date=4 June 2017|website=PuntaCanaInternationalAirport.com}}</ref>
In 2014, the airport accounted for 60% of all air arrivals in the Dominican Republic.<ref name=travelpulse>{{cite news|last1=Major|first1=Brian|title=North Americans Drove Dominican Republic’s Record 2014 Tourism Growth|url=http://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/north-americans-drove-dominican-republics-record-2014-tourism-growth.html|accessdate=23 January 2015|publisher=travAlliancemedia|date=22 January 2015}}</ref>


==Terminals==
==History==
[[File:MDPC Airport.jpg|thumb|Aerial view]]
[[File:Terminal One Gates at Punta Cana (edited).jpg|thumb|right|Aircraft parked at several gates adjacent to Terminal 1]]
[[File:PuntaCanaInternationalAirport.JPG|thumb|Control tower]]
[[File:Departure lounge of Terminal Two at Punta Cana.jpg|thumb|right|Terminal 2 departure lounge.]]
[[File:Departure lounge, Punta Cana International Airport.jpg|thumb|Terminal interior]]
[[File:DCAM0192.jpg|thumb|right|Martinair B767-300ER at PUJ]]
[[File:Punta Cana International Airport ramp overview.jpg|thumb|Apron view]]
The airport has five terminals: International Terminals A and B for international passenger travel; FBO Terminal, located west of terminal B, for executive general aviation, both national and international; National Terminal, located east of the FBO terminal, for national charter and general aviation; VIP Terminal, Located east of Terminal A, a private terminal including an aircraft parking apron. Punta Cana International Airport serves 96 cities in 28 countries.<ref>http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/index.php</ref>
=== Beginnings ===
Terminal B was built to hold larger aircraft like the Airbus A380 along with 7 airbridges, one being for the Airbus A380. This new terminal was completed in 2014 and can comfortably accommodate 6,500 travelers daily and over 2 million travelers annually.<ref name="terminal B">http://www.puntacanablogs.com/blog/puj-is-ready-to-inaugurate-modern-convenient-air-travel-with-terminal-b</ref>
The history of aviation in the Punta Cana region started in 1971, when Grupo Puntacana built the first hotel in the area, called "Punta Cana Club", along with a small airstrip. There were no terminals and no runway; it was just a flat piece of land. The only problem was that the area was very secluded from the rest of the Dominican Republic. Also, many more people were starting to go to Punta Cana for vacation, with more and more small cabins being built. Since there were no roads nor [[harbor]]s, the only way to get into Punta Cana was by air.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Nuesta Historia (Our history)|url=https://www.grupopuntacana.com.do/old-carreras/assets/nuestra-historia.pdf|access-date=25 July 2021|publisher=Grupopuntacana.com|archive-date=3 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303164100/http://www.grupopuntacana.com.do/old-carreras/assets/nuestra-historia.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In the late 1970s a road was built to connect the area with the capital of [[La Altagracia Province]], [[Higüey, Dominican Republic|Higüey]]. Tourists from various countries started to come in. They had to pass through [[Las Américas International Airport]] in [[Santo Domingo]], then take a short flight in a small plane to Punta Cana. The airstrip itself had significant problems, such as having a very short runway and still no terminal. This meant passengers would exit their plane and be directed onto a road to be picked up to ride to their hotel, which was inconvenient. Grupo PuntaCana knew it needed a real airport.
==Airlines and destinations==
{{Airport destination list
| 3rdcoltitle = Terminal
| [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]] | [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport|Buenos Aires-Ezeiza]] | A
| [[Aerolíneas Mas]] | [[Cibao International Airport|Santiago de los Caballeros]], [[La Isabela International Airport|Santo Domingo-La Isabela]] | B
| [[Air Antilles Express]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport|Pointe-à-Pitre]] | A
| [[Air Berlin]] | [[Düsseldorf Airport|Düsseldorf]] <br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Berlin Tegel Airport|Berlin-Tegel]] | B
| [[Air Canada]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]], [[Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]] | B
| [[Air Canada Rouge]] | [[Montreal-Trudeau International Airport|Montreal-Trudeau]], [[Pearson International Airport|Toronto-Pearson]] | B
| [[Air Europa]] | [[Madrid Barajas Airport|Madrid]] | A
| [[Air France]] | [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris-Charles de Gaulle]] | B
| [[Air Transat]] | [[Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport|Montréal-Trudeau]], [[Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport|Québec City]], [[Pearson International Airport|Toronto-Pearson]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Calgary International Airport|Calgary]], [[Edmonton International Airport|Edmonton]], [[Fredericton International Airport|Fredericton]] (begins March 15, 2017),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/267924/airtransat-adds-new-fredericton-dominican-republic-route-from-mar-2017/|title=airtransat Adds New Fredericton-Dominican Republic Route from March 2017|publisher=AirlineRoute|accessdate=July 13, 2016}}</ref> [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]], [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport|Hamilton]], [[London International Airport|London (ON)]], [[Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]], [[Regina International Airport|Regina]], [[St. John's International Airport|St. John's]], [[Thunder Bay International Airport|Thunder Bay]], [[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]], [[Windsor International Airport|Windsor]], [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg]] | A
| [[American Airlines]] | [[Charlotte/Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Logan International Airport|Boston]], [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago-O'Hare]], [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York-JFK]] | B
| [[Apple Leisure Group|Apple Vacations]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Allegiant Air]]}} | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Pittsburgh International Airport|Pittsburgh]] | A
| [[Apple Leisure Group|Apple Vacations]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Icelandair]]}} | '''Charter:''' [[Logan International Airport|Boston]], [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit]] | A
| [[Apple Leisure Group|Apple Vacations]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Swift Air]]}} | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport|Cincinnati]] | A
| [[Avianca]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogota]] | B
| [[Avianca Ecuador]] | '''Charter:''' [[Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]] | B
| [[Avianca Peru]] |[[Jorge Chávez International Airport|Lima]] | B
| [[Azur Air]] | [[Domodedovo International Airport|Moscow-Domodedovo]], [[Pulkovo Airport|St. Petersburg]]| A
| [[Azur Air]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Azur Air (Germany)]]}} | [[Berlin Schönefeld Airport|Berlin-Schönefeld]] (begins 4 April 2017), [[Düsseldorf Airport|Düsseldorf]] (begins 3 April 2017), [[Munich Airport|Munich]] (begins 5 May 2017)<ref>[http://www.anextour.de Anex Tour booking system] 15 December 2016</ref> | TBA
| [[British Airways]] | [[Gatwick Airport|London-Gatwick]] | B
| [[Condor Flugdienst|Condor]] | [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]], [[Munich Airport|Munich]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Vienna International Airport|Vienna]] | A
| [[Copa Airlines]] | [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City]] | B
| [[Copa Airlines Colombia]] | [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City]] | B
| [[Corsair International]] | [[Orly Airport|Paris-Orly]] | A
| [[Delta Air Lines]] | [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[Logan International Airport|Boston]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York-JFK]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport|Cincinnati]], [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport|Detroit]], [[Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport|Minneapolis/St. Paul]] | B
| [[Edelweiss Air]] | [[Zurich Airport|Zürich]] | B
| [[El Al]] | '''Charter:''' [[Ben Gurion Airport|Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion]] | TBA
| [[Eurowings]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[SunExpress Deutschland]]}} | [[Cologne Bonn Airport|Cologne/Bonn]] | B
| [[Evelop Airlines]] | [[Madrid Barajas Airport|Madrid]] | A
| [[French Blue (airline)|French Blue]] | [[Orly Airport|Paris-Orly]] | TBA
| [[Frontier Airlines]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]] | A
| [[Fly All Ways]] | [[Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport|Paramaribo]] | A
| [[Gol Transportes Aéreos]] | [[São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo–Guarulhos]] | B
| [[Insel Air]] | [[Curaçao International Airport|Curaçao]] | A
| [[Insel Air Aruba]] | [[Queen Beatrix International Airport|Aruba]] | A
| [[InterCaribbean Airways]] | [[Luis Munoz Marin International Airport|San Juan]] | A
| [[JetBlue Airways]] | [[Logan International Airport|Boston]], [[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York-JFK]], [[Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport|San Juan]] | A
| [[LATAM Brasil]] | [[Brasília International Airport|Brasília]] (ends 1 February 2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268382/latam-airlines-brasil-1q17-brasilia-international-adjustments/|title=LATAM Airlines Brasil 1Q17 Brasilia international adjustments|publisher=routesonline|accessdate=12 August 2016}}</ref> | A
| [[LATAM Chile]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]] | A
| [[LATAM Perú]] | [[Jorge Chavez International Airport|Lima]] | A
| [[Latin American Wings]] <br>{{nowrap|operated by Chilejet}} | '''Charter:''' [[Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]] | A
| [[LOT Polish Airlines|LOT]] | '''Seasonal Charter:''' [[Warsaw]] | A
| [[Nordwind]] | '''Seasonal Charter:''' [[Moscow-Sheremetyevo]] | A
| [[Orbest]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Lisbon Portela Airport|Lisbon]], [[Madrid-Barajas Airport|Madrid]] | A
| [[Rutaca Airlines]] | [[Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)|Caracas]] | A
| [[Rossiya Airlines]] | [[Vnukovo International Airport|Moscow- Vnukovo]] | A
| [[Servicios Aéreos Profesionales]] | '''Charter:''' [[V. C. Bird International Airport|Antigua]], [[Queen Beatrix International Airport|Aruba]], [[Grantley Adams International Airport|Barbados]], [[Hato International Airport|Curaçao]], [[Frank País Airport|Holguin]], [[Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport|Pointe-à-Pitre]], [[Piarco International Airport|Port of Spain]], [[Princess Juliana International Airport|St. Maarten]], [[Las Americas International Airport|Santo Domingo-Las Américas]], [[Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport|Varadero]] | A
| [[Southwest Airlines]] | [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport|Baltimore]], [[Chicago Midway International Airport|Chicago-Midway]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[General Mitchell International Airport|Milwaukee]]| A
| [[Spirit Airlines]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]] | A
| [[Sun Country Airlines]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport|Minneapolis/St. Paul]], [[Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas-Fort Worth]] | A
| [[Sunwing Airlines]] | [[Montreal-Trudeau International Airport|Montreal-Trudeau]], [[Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport|Québec City]], [[Pearson International Airport|Toronto-Pearson]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[CFB Bagotville|Bagotville]], [[Calgary International Airport|Calgary]], [[Gander International Airport|Gander]], [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]], [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport|Hamilton]], [[Region of Waterloo International Airport|Kitchener]], [[London International Airport|London (ON)]], [[General Mitchell International Airport|Milwaukee]], [[Greater Moncton International Airport|Moncton]], [[Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]], [[Saint John Airport|Saint John]], [[St. John's International Airport|St. John's]], [[Val-d'Or Airport|Val-d'Or]], [[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]], [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg]] | A
| [[Swift Air]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by Vacation Express}} | '''Seasonal:''' [[Pittsburgh International Airport|Pittsburgh]] | A
| [[Travel Service Polska|Travel Service]] | '''Seasonal Charter:''' [[Warsaw]] | A
| [[Thomas Cook Airlines]] | '''Charter:''' [[Gatwick Airport|London-Gatwick]], [[Manchester Airport|Manchester (UK)]] | A
| [[Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia]] | '''Charter:''' [[Kastrup Airport|Copenhagen]], [[Arlanda Airport|Stockholm]] | A
| [[Thomson Airways]] | '''Charter:''' [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]], [[Gatwick Airport|London-Gatwick]], [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]<br> '''Seasonal:''' [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]] | A
| {{nowrap|[[TUI Airlines Netherlands]]}} | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport|Amsterdam]], [[Warsaw-Chopin|Warsaw]] | A
| [[TUIfly]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Thomson Airways]]}} | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Hamburg Airport|Hamburg]] | A
| [[TUIfly Belgium]] | [[Brussels National Airport|Brussels]] | A
| [[TAME]] | '''Charter:''' [[Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]] | A
| [[United Airlines]] | [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston-Intercontinental]], [[Liberty International Airport|Newark]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago-O'Hare]], [[Dulles International Airport|Washington-Dulles]] | B
| [[Vacation Express]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Sunwing Airlines]]}} | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Baltimore–Washington International Airport|Baltimore]], [[Buffalo Niagara International Airport|Buffalo]], [[Charlotte/Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]], [[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport|Cincinnati]], [[Port Columbus International Airport|Columbus (OH)]], [[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]], [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport|New Orleans]] | A
| [[Vacation Express]]<br>{{nowrap|operated by [[Swift Air]]}} | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport|Cleveland]], [[Port Columbus International Airport|Columbus (OH)]], [[Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[Indianapolis International Airport|Indianapolis]], [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston-Intercontinental]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[Tampa International Airport|Tampa]] (begins May 5, 2017) | A
| [[Wamos Air]] | [[Madrid Barajas Airport|Madrid]] | A
| [[WestJet]] | [[Montreal-Trudeau International Airport|Montreal-Trudeau]], [[Pearson International Airport|Toronto-Pearson]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]], [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport|Hamilton]], [[Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]], [[St. John's International Airport|St. John's]] | A
| [[Wingo (Airline)|Wingo]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogota]] | A
| [[XL Airways France]] | [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris-Charles de Gaulle]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[Bordeaux Airport|Bordeaux]], [[Lyon Airport|Lyon]], [[Nantes Airport|Nantes]], [[Toulouse-Blagnac Airport|Toulouse]] | A
}}


== Traffic and growth ==
=== Planning and construction ===
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2016}}
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2022}}
In late 1974, Grupo Puntacana started to plan the first private international airport. However, the local government disapproved of the new airport. After eight full years of arguing with the province, a contract was made to begin construction on the new airport. The airport would be built where the old airstrip stood. In early 1981 planning started on the airport. Oscar Imbert (son of General [[Antonio Imbert Barrera|Antonio Imbert]]) was chosen as architect. He wanted the terminal architecture to be based on Native American [[Taino]]s and [[Arawak]] structures. At the same time, he wanted to give the passengers a paradise feeling. The problem was that the planners did not want to pay for expensive [[air conditioning]]. The solution to this problem was to build the terminal in such a way that the coastal breezes from the [[Caribbean Sea]] would come in and cool down the passengers. The terminal building was planned to have [[palm frond]]s for the roof, and stone from the nearby jungles for the walls. For the columns, they would use [[eucalyptus]] logs and build them in [[Taíno]] and [[Arawak]] styles.
Punta Cana's airport is the leading point of entry in number of arriving passengers in the Dominican Republic. It is also the fastest growing airport with almost a 20% increase in traffic yearly, which indicates that in 4 years the aircraft movements will double. At the moment the airport counts on two International Terminals; FBO Terminal, a main incline with 12 positions; National Terminal; and VIP Terminal.


Construction on the new airport started in early 1982, and the small airstrip had to close down. To substitute for the loss, a small concrete airstrip was made into a temporary airport. This strip would turn into a runway when the airport opened. Since the terminal was small and there was not a lot of construction needed, the terminal was completed in under four months. The runway and tarmac took a long time since there were not many construction workers building the airport. The area was secluded, which dissuaded many construction workers from trying to build the airport. However, after eight years of persuading the government, and two more years of construction, the airport began operations on 17 December 1983.
In the Caribbean, Punta Cana International Airport is the 2nd busiest airport, after [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport]]. [[Cancun International Airport]], [[Jose Marti International Airport|Havana International Airport]], and Punta Cana International Airport are the only airports in Latin America with direct flights to Russia. Punta Cana International Airport will also be the only airport in the Caribbean with flights to Tel-Aviv, Israel beginning October 7, 2016.


== Statistics ==
=== 1980s ===
The airport started out with a {{convert|5,000|foot}} runway, which could fit larger propeller planes. The building was {{convert|300|m2}} in area, and could assist 150 passengers every hour and a half.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The small control tower also began operation.


In January 1984, Punta Cana had its first international flight from [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], operated by the Puerto Rican airline, [[Prinair]]. The aircraft was a small double turbo propeller aircraft with 20 passengers. In 1984, the airport received 2,976 passengers.<ref name=":2">{{cite web | url = http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/assets/punta-cana-tech-data-fact-sheet_2015.pdf | title = Airport Tech Data | publisher = Puntacanainternationalairport.com | date = March 2015 | access-date = 30 May 2015 | archive-date = 20 October 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161020115120/http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/assets/punta-cana-tech-data-fact-sheet_2015.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>
=== Top destinations ===


With a proper airport, many new hotels were built. As a result, this brought an increased demand to bring jet aircraft to Punta Cana, since the airport would have to accommodate more people. This led to the airport's first expansion in 1986. The runway was extended to {{convert|7,500|ft}}, and there was a small expansion in the check-in area of the terminal, along with the renovation of the terminal. The tarmac was also expanded to accommodate jet aircraft, and the control tower had new radar systems added to it. This expansion allowed many more aircraft to land at the airport. In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States began, with [[Miami International Airport]].<ref name=":0" />

During this time, new airlines from around the Caribbean started to fly here. There were only about four airlines in 1988. All of these small airlines were regional, coming from different parts of the [[Caribbean]]. The second expansion was added in 1988, with the addition of a new taxiway. In 1989, the first private jets started to fly to the airport. Towards the end of 1989, another expansion started to extend the runway to {{convert|10,171|ft}}. This expansion was completed in late 1990.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

=== 1990s ===
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2022}}
The 1990s brought a major change to the airport. Now that the runway was 10,171 feet (3,100 m), long-haul jets could fly there. Some of the first airlines to fly charters to Punta Cana during this time were [[Monarch Airlines]] and [[Air Belgium (1979-2000)|Air Belgium]] in 1990 and 1991, respectively. [[Condor Flugdienst|Condor]] was expanding rapidly, following the addition of their new [[Boeing 767]]s and one of its new destinations from [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]] was Punta Cana.

These became the first routes from Europe and the first long-haul routes in the airport's history. Around the same time, [[LTU International]] started a route from Berlin. Many airlines around the Caribbean stopped operations to the airport, as a result of the new long-haul flights. In 1993, the airline [[Hapag-Lloyd Flug]] began a route from [[Düsseldorf Airport|Düsseldorf]]. [[Air Transat]] began a route from [[Montréal–Mirabel International Airport|Montréal]], which became the first route from Canada. In 1994, [[American Airlines]] started operations to [[Miami International Airport]]. The same year, [[Lauda Air]] began operations from [[Vienna International Airport|Vienna]]. The Dutch wanted a route to Punta Cana, so in January 1995, [[Martinair]] began operations from [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam Schiphol]]. [[ATA Airlines]] started to fly to [[Midway International Airport]] in early 1996. In October 1996, the Chilean airline [[LAN-Chile|Lan Chile]] began to fly 767s from [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogota]] and [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Over time, more airlines from Europe, Canada, and the US began operations to Punta Cana. The late 1990s saw many new European charter carriers such as [[Britannia Airways]], [[Air Europe (Italy)|Air Europe]], and [[Iberworld]]. There was increasing demand for an expansion, as the tarmac was not big enough to fit all of the new jet aircraft. This was becoming a major problem, as new airlines could not introduce new routes unless the airport expanded.

Towards the end of 1998, the airport became highly congested, with severe delays due to restricted space on the apron. This congestion was also exacerbated by the lack of a parallel taxiway next to runway 09/27, which meant aircraft had to [[backtaxi|backtrack]] down the runway in order to utilise the runway's full length when taking off or landing. The rapid growth of the airport's route network was too excessive for the small airport. As the number of passengers grew, Grupo PuntaCana planned a massive expansion, which began in 1999.

=== 2000s ===
In 2000, after the completion of the expansion, the terminal was renovated and expanded to twice its original size to {{convert|600|m2}}. A long taxiway was added to prevent a collision on the runway, and the tarmac was expanded to fit six aircraft. This expansion was completed in 2001, and airline growth continued.

During this time, Punta Cana was drastically changing, with the addition of new hotels, malls, and infrastructure. Many people were flying to Punta Cana annually, and once again the airport was crowded by 2002. A new parking lot was built along with the new PuntaCana Village. By 2003, there was a small expansion of the terminal and the tarmac was expanded to allow seven aircraft to park. This was also the year the Grupo Puntacana had begun the planning of a second runway.

In 2004, Terminal 2 opened, the second terminal at the airport.<ref name=":1" /> As many old charter carriers from the 1990s began to cease operations to the airport, each new year brought new airlines and destinations. Several prominent leisure carriers such as [[Transaero]], [[Pullmantur Air]], and [[Corsair International|Corsairfly]] started operations with large aircraft such as the [[Boeing 747]].

=== 2010s ===
In 2011, a new second runway was opened, which permitted more long-haul flights from countries like France, England, and Brazil with large planes such as the [[Boeing 747-400]], the [[Boeing 777]], and the [[Airbus A340]].<ref>{{cite web|date=25 November 2011|title=Grupo PuntaCana inaugura nueva pista en el Aeropuerto Internacional|url=https://www.arecoa.com/destinos/2011/11/25/presidente-fernandez-inaugura-nueva-pista-en-aeropuerto-punta-cana/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Arecoa.com|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-05-12|title=Construyen una nueva pista de aterrizaje en Punta Cana|url=https://hoy.com.do/construyen-una-nueva-pista-de-aterrizaje-en-punta-cana/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Hoy Digital|language=en}}</ref> With this expansion, the airport became the first in the Caribbean to have two runways longer than 10,000 feet. Along with the new runway, a new control tower, Terminal Approach Radar Control facility and a new Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) were all presented.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nuestra Historia|url=https://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/35aniversario/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Punta Cana International Airport}}</ref>

In November 2014, Terminal B was officially inaugurated.<ref name="terminal B" /><ref>{{cite web|date=2014-11-02|title=Punta Cana International Airport Opens Brand-New Terminal|url=https://www.caribjournal.com/2014/11/02/punta-cana-international-airport-opens-brand-new-terminal/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Caribbean Journal|language=en}}</ref> This terminal uses [[jet bridge]]s, the first terminal at the airport to use them. The new terminal is also completely enclosed, unlike the other terminals at the airport.

In November 2017, a new VIP lounge opened, which included a pool.<ref>{{cite web|title=PUNTA CANA AIRPORT VIP LOUNGE: AN INSIDE LOOK|url=https://www.loungebuddy.com/blog/punta-cana-airport-vip-lounge|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Loungebuddy.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ballester|first=Marcelo|date=2018-12-16|title=Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana celebra 35 años liderando en RD|url=https://puntacana-bavaro.com/2018/12/16/aeropuerto-internacional-de-punta-cana-celebra-35-anos-liderando-en-rd/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Online Punta Cana Bavaro|language=es}}</ref>

==Facilities==
===Terminals===
The airport has five terminals:<ref name=":2" />

* International Terminals A and B – international commercial passenger travel
* FBO Terminal – executive general aviation
* National Terminal – serves national charter and general aviation flights
* VIP Terminal – private terminal including an aircraft parking apron

Terminal A, the older terminal of the two international terminals, uses [[Ground support equipment#Passenger boarding steps/stairs|aircraft stairs]] for passengers to deplane and board aircraft with access for disabled people using [[wheelchair lifts]]. Terminal B was built with seven airbridges, three being for wide-body aircraft. This new terminal was completed in 2014 and can comfortably accommodate 6,500 travelers daily and over 2 million travelers annually. As of 2023, Terminal B was expanded with 7 additional gates and 3 remote gates serving multiple airlines with a modern terminal expansion. Terminal B went from 7 gates to 14 gates with boarding bridges and 3 remote gates. <ref name="terminal B">{{cite web|date=23 October 2014|title=PUJ is ready to inaugurate modern, convenient air travel with Terminal B|url=http://www.puntacanablogs.com/blog/puj-is-ready-to-inaugurate-modern-convenient-air-travel-with-terminal-b|access-date=4 June 2017|website=Puntacana Blogs}}</ref>

===U.S. preclearance===
Plans were underway for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection [[United States border preclearance|preclearance]] station to be opened at the airport by the end of summer 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2008/7/25/28787/Busiest-Dominican-airport-to-have-US-Customs-Immigration-station-Nuevo|title = Busiest Dominican airport to have U.S. Customs, Immigration station, Nuevo Diario reports| publisher=Dominicantoday.com | date = 25 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608182147/http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2008/7/25/28787/Busiest-Dominican-airport-to-have-US-Customs-Immigration-station-Nuevo |archive-date=8 June 2009 }}</ref> however, this has not yet begun.<ref>{{cite web|last=Newsdesk|date=2016-12-02|title=United States, Dominican Republic Sign Agreement to Open Pre-clearance Facility in Punta Cana|url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/united-states-dominican-republic-sign-agreement-to-open-pre-clearance-facility-punta|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Travel Agent Central|language=en}}</ref> According to Frank Rainieri, president of Grupo Puntacana, negotiations have re-opened (as of June 2015) and he anticipates that this airport will be the first in Latin America to offer such preclearance service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bavaronews.com/semanal/index.php/actualidad/locales/3922-aeropuerto-de-punta-cana-primero-en-la-region-listo-para-pre-inspeccion%7Ctitle%3D |title=''Bavaro News; Year X; edition 287; page 4'' |access-date=9 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330114935/http://www.bavaronews.com/semanal/index.php/actualidad/locales/3922-aeropuerto-de-punta-cana-primero-en-la-region-listo-para-pre-inspeccion%7Ctitle%3D |archive-date=30 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of December 2020, the preclearance station is still planned, but is waiting to receive authorization from the Dominican Government to begin construction.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=13 December 2020|title=Rainieri: passenger preclearance would contribute US $ 1.2 billion to the DR|url=https://dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2020/12/13/rainieri-passenger-preclearance-would-contribute-us-1-2-billion-to-the-dr/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=DominicanToday|language=en}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Punta Cana International Airport:

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{{Airport destination list
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| {{nowrap|[[Aerolíneas Argentinas]]}} | [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport|Buenos Aires–Ezeiza]], [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Córdoba]],<ref name=COR>{{cite web | url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2024/05/cordoba-punta-cana-aerolineas-argentinas-lanzo-la-venta-de-su-nueva-ruta-con-conexiones-al-interior/ | title=Córdoba – Punta Cana: Aerolíneas Argentinas lanzó la venta de su nueva ruta con conexiones al interior | date=12 May 2024 }}</ref> [[Rosario – Islas Malvinas International Airport|Rosario]],<ref name=AANEW /> [[Teniente General Benjamín Matienzo International Airport|Tucumán]] (begins 5 January 2025)<ref name=AANEW>{{cite web | url=https://www.reportur.com/argentina/2024/07/29/aerolineas-argentinas-volara-a-punta-cana-desde-tucuman-y-rosario/ | title=Aerolíneas Argentinas volará a Punta Cana desde Tucumán y Rosario | date=29 July 2024 }}</ref>
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| [[Air Canada]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport|Montréal–Trudeau]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Air Canada Rouge]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport|Montréal–Trudeau]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport|Quebec City]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Air Caraibes]] | [[Orly Airport|Paris–Orly]]
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| [[Air Century]] | [[Queen Beatrix International Airport|Aruba]], [[Curaçao International Airport|Curaçao]], [[José Martí International Airport|Havana]], [[Princess Juliana International Airport|St. Maarten]]
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| [[Air Europa]] | [[Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport|Madrid]]
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| [[Air Transat]] | [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport|Montréal–Trudeau]], [[Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport|Québec City]], [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]<br /> '''Seasonal:''' [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[London International Airport|London (ON)]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport|Moncton]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[American Airlines]] | [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]], [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]], [[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]]<br />'''Seasonal:''' [[Logan International Airport|Boston]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Arajet]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá]],<ref name=AJCOL /> [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport|Buenos Aires–Ezeiza]],<ref name=PUJAJ /> [[Cancún International Airport|Cancún]],<ref name=PUJAJ /> [[Rafael Núñez International Airport|Cartagena]],<ref name=AJCOL /> [[José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport|Guayaquil]],<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nlarenas.com/2024/08/arajet-cambia-conexiones-a-punta-cana-santo-domingo/|title=Arajet cambia conexiones a Punta Cana en vez de Santo Domingo|accessdate=August 12, 2024|date=August 2024|language=es|website=nlarenas.com}}</ref> [[Norman Manley International Airport|Kingston–Norman Manley]],<ref name=PUJAJ>{{cite web |title=Arajet Launches Punta Cana Service From late-Oct 2024 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240720-dmnw24 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=20 July 2024}}</ref> [[Jorge Chávez International Airport|Lima]], [[José María Córdova International Airport|Medellin–JMC]],<ref name=AJCOL>{{cite web |title=Arajet desde octubre tres nuevas rutas desde el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana |date=22 August 2024 |url=https://aviationclubcenter.com/index.php/2024/08/22/arajet-desde-octubre-tres-nuevas-rutas-desde-el-aeropuerto-internacional-de-punta-cana/ |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref> [[Felipe Ángeles International Airport|Mexico City–AIFA]],<ref name=PUJAJ /> [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport|Montréal–Trudeau]],<ref name=PUJAJ /> [[Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]],<ref name=":32" /> [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]],<ref name=PUJAJ /> [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo–Guarulhos]],<ref name=PUJAJ /> [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]<ref name=PUJAJ />
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|[[Avelo Airlines]]| '''Seasonal:''' [[Bradley International Airport|Hartford]] (begins 21 February 2025),<ref>{{cite web |last=Shook |first=Ashley |title=Punta Cana nonstop flights coming to Bradley International Airport |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/connecticut/punta-cana-nonstop-flights-coming-to-bradley-international-airport/ |website=WWLP|date=December 9, 2024|access-date=December 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Raleigh–Durham International Airport|Raleigh/Durham]] (begins 22 February 2025)<ref name="AveloNew">{{cite web |last=Fox |first=Allison |title=Avelo Airlines Just Announced 7 New Routes — Including 2 to the Caribbean |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/avelo-airlines-north-carolina-jamaica-dominican-republic-8756133 |website=Travel+Leisure|date=December 4, 2024|access-date=December 4, 2024}}</ref>
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| [[Avianca]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá]], [[José María Córdova International Airport|Medellin–JMC]]
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| [[Avianca Ecuador]] | [[Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aviationclubcenter.com/index.php/2024/08/13/avianca-ha-anunciado-la-apertura-de-dos-nuevas-rutas-internacionales/ | title=Avianca ha anunciado la apertura de dos nuevas rutas internacionales | date=August 13, 2024 }}</ref>
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| [[British Airways]] | [[Gatwick Airport|London–Gatwick]]
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| [[Condor (airline)|Condor]] | [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]]
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| [[Copa Airlines]] | [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City–Tocumen]]
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| [[Corsair International]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Orly Airport|Paris–Orly]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Delta Air Lines]] | [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]]<br />'''Seasonal:''' [[Logan International Airport|Boston]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport|Detroit]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport|Minneapolis/St. Paul]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Discover Airlines]] | [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]]
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| [[Edelweiss Air]] | [[Zurich Airport|Zürich]]
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| [[Flair Airlines]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Frontier Airlines]] | [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport|Cleveland]], [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]], [[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]], [[Tampa International Airport|Tampa]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}<br />'''Seasonal:''' [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[St. Louis Lambert International Airport|St. Louis]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport|San Juan]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| {{nowrap|[[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes|Gol Linhas Aéreas]]}} | [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo–Guarulhos]]
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| [[Iberojet (airline)|Iberojet]] | [[Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport|Madrid]]<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/10/iberojet-anuncia-vuelos-desde-barcelona-a-cancun-y-punta-cana/|title=Iberojet announces flights from Barcelona to Cancun and Punta Cana|language=es|access-date=November 12, 2021|date=November 2021|website=Aviacionline}}</ref><br /> '''Seasonal:''' [[Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport|Barcelona]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Lisbon Airport|Lisbon]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}<br /> '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Porto Airport|Porto]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Iberojet inaugurates flights between Porto and Punta Cana |url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/07/iberojet-inaugurates-flights-between-porto-and-punta-cana/ |website=Aeroroutes |date=22 July 2022 |access-date=14 November 2022}}</ref>
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| [[JetBlue]] | [[Logan International Airport|Boston]], [[Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]], [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]], [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]], [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport|San Juan]]
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| [[LATAM Chile]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]]
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| [[LATAM Perú]] | [[Jorge Chávez International Airport|Lima]]
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| [[LOT Polish Airlines]] | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Katowice Airport|Katowice]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Vilnius Airport|Vilnius]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Warsaw Chopin Airport|Warsaw–Chopin]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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|[[Neos (airline)|Neos]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Milan Malpensa Airport|Milan–Malpensa]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ttgitalia.com/attualita/burgio-alpitour-per-noi-l-ia-e-un-progetto-collettivo-FM19621884 |title=Burgio, Alpitour: "Per noi l'IA è un progetto collettivo" |date=21 May 2024|website=ttgitalia.com |language=it |trans-title=Burgio, Alpitour: [...]}}</ref> <br /> '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Václav Havel Airport Prague|Prague]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Prinair]] | '''Charter:''' [[Rafael Hernández Airport|Aguadilla]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Sky Airline Peru]] | [[Jorge Chávez International Airport|Lima]]
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| [[Southwest Airlines]] | [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport|Baltimore]], [[Midway International Airport|Chicago–Midway]], [[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]] (begins 8 March 2025),<ref name=SWBNA>https://www.arecoa.com/aerolineas/2024/08/26/southwest-expande-sus-vuelos-enlazara-nashville-con-punta-cana {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]]<ref name=SWNEW>{{cite web | url=https://swamedia.com/releases/release-d5bda4d2c147f577fd1d8c167c5baaab-southwest-airlines-extends-flight-schedule-with-new-international-options-and-most-ever-departures/ | title=Southwest Airlines Extends Flight Schedule with New International Options and Most-Ever Departures | date=26 October 2023 | access-date=26 October 2023 | archive-date=26 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026190859/https://swamedia.com/releases/release-d5bda4d2c147f577fd1d8c167c5baaab-southwest-airlines-extends-flight-schedule-with-new-international-options-and-most-ever-departures | url-status=dead }}</ref> <br /> '''Seasonal:''' [[William P. Hobby Airport|Houston–Hobby]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Southwest Airlines 1H23 International Network Additions – 26JAN23 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230127-wn1h23int |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref> [[St. Louis Lambert International Airport|St. Louis]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Spirit Airlines]] | [[Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]], [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]], [[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Karp |first1=Aaron |title=ULCC Spirit To Launch Seven New Philadelphia Routes |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/297277/ulcc-spirittolaunch-seven-new-philadelphia-routes/ |website=Routesonline |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>
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|[[Sun Country Airlines]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport|Milwaukee]],<ref name="Wisn">{{cite web|title=Sun Country Airlines will offer nonstop flights from Milwaukee to two Caribbean countries|date= 21 May 2024|url= https://www.wisn.com/article/milwaukee-nonstop-flights-jamaica-dominican-republic/60861232|access-date=May 21, 2024}}</ref> [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport|Minneapolis/St. Paul]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[Sunrise Airways]] | [[Toussaint Louverture International Airport|Port-au-Prince]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunrise Airways Adds Punta Cana Service From late-Oct 2022 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221012-s6nw22puj |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref>
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| [[Sunwing Airlines]] | [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport|Montréal–Trudeau]], [[Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport|Québec City]], [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]] <br /> '''Seasonal:''' [[CFB Bagotville|Bagotville]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Calgary International Airport|Calgary]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Edmonton International Airport|Edmonton]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Fredericton International Airport|Fredericton]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Gander International Airport|Gander]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport|Hamilton (ON)]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Region of Waterloo International Airport|Kitchener/Waterloo]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[London International Airport|London (ON)]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport|Moncton]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport|Ottawa]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Regina International Airport|Regina]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[St. John's International Airport|St. John's]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport|Saskatoon]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg]]{{cn|date=December 2024}}
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| [[TUI Airways]] | [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]], [[Gatwick Airport|London–Gatwick]], [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]
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| [[TUI fly Belgium]] | [[Brussels Airport|Brussels]]
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| [[TUI fly Netherlands]] | [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]]
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| [[TUI fly Nordic]] | '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Stockholm Arlanda Airport|Stockholm–Arlanda]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240712-blxnw24arnpuj | title=TUIfly Nordic Adds Stockholm – Punta Cana Service in NW24 }}</ref>
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| [[United Airlines]] | [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental]], [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]], [[Dulles International Airport|Washington–Dulles]]
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| [[WestJet]] | [[Calgary International Airport|Calgary]], [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]
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| [[Wingo (airline)|Wingo]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogota]], [[José María Córdova International Airport|Medellin–JMC]]
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| [[World2Fly]] | [[Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport|Madrid]] <br />'''Charter:''' [[Lisbon Airport|Lisbon]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Porto Airport|Porto]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aeroroutes.com/eng/220408-2w3pns22 | title=World2Fly Schedules Orlando Sanford Charters June - August 2022 }}</ref> <br /> '''Seasonal charter:''' [[Bratislava Airport|Bratislava]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} [[Václav Havel Airport Prague|Prague]]<ref name=W2F>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230619-2wnw23btsprg|title=WORLD2FLY NW23 CZECHIA / SLOVAKIA CHARTERS|website=aeroroutes.com}}</ref>
<!-- -->
}}

== Statistics ==
<!--{{Airport-Statistics|iata=PUJ}}-->
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" width= align=
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" width= align=
|+ '''Busiest international routes from PUJ (2013)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idac.gob.do/index.php/estadisticas-estadisticas/cat_view/104-estadisticas/105-estadisticas-2012/217-kilometros-regulares |title=IDAC traffic Statistics |publisher=Idac.gob.do |date=}}</ref>
|+ '''Busiest international routes from PUJ (2023)'''<ref>https://jac.gob.do/transparencia/phocadownload/Estadisticas/2023/Air%20Transport%20Statistical%20Report%20of%20the%20Dominican%20Republic%20-%202023.pdf</ref>
|-
|-
! Rank
! Rank
Line 139: Line 212:
! Carriers
! Carriers
|-
|-
|1
| 1
| [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto (YYZ)]]
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto-Pearson]]
| 315,533
| 842,975
| Air Canada, Air Transat, CanJet, Sunwing, Westjet
| [[Air Canada]], [[Air Canada Rouge]], [[Air Transat]], [[Sunwing Airlines]], [[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]], [[WestJet]]
|-
|-
| 2
| 2
| [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris (CDG)]]
| {{flagicon|Panama}} [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City-Tocumen]]
| 312,129
| 667,726
| [[Copa Airlines]]
| Air France, XL Airways
|-
|-
| 3
| 3
| [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta (ATL)]]
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York-JFK]]
| 294,513
| 608,546
| [[American Airlines]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[JetBlue]]
| Delta, Southwest
|-
|-
| 4
| 4
| [[Miami International Airport|Miami (MIA)]]
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport|Montréal-Trudeau]]
| 251,183
| 561,993
| [[Air Canada]], [[Air Canada Rouge]], [[Air Transat]], [[Sunwing Airlines]]
| American Airlines, Gol Transportes Aéreos
|-
|-
| 5
| 5
| [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City (PTY)]]
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Miami International Airport|Miami]]
| 249,094
| 468,460
| Copa Airlines, Copa Airlines Colombia
| [[American Airlines]], [[Frontier Airlines]]
|-
|-
| 6
| 6
| [[Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport|Montreal (YUL)]]
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]]
| 230,563
| 388,975
| [[Delta Air Lines]]
| Air Canada, Air Transat, CanJet, Sunwing
|-
|-
| 7
| 7
| [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte (CLT)]]
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]]
| 198,770
| 365,210
| American Airlines
| [[JetBlue]], [[United Airlines]]
|-
|-
| 8
| 8
| [[Kennedy International Airport|New York (JFK)]]
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]]
| 195,820
| 359,867
| [[JetBlue]], [[Southwest Airlines]], [[Spirit Airlines]]
| Delta, JetBlue
|-
|-
| 9
|9
| [[Domodedovo International Airport|Moscow (DME)]]
|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]]
| 180,018
|338,557
|
| Transaero
|-
|-
| 10
| 10
| [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark (EWR)]]
| {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogota]]
| 156,594
| 306,177
| [[Avianca]], [[Wingo (airline)|Wingo]]
| United
|}
|}


== Airport expansion ==
== Accidents and incidents ==
Punta Cana's Airport operators completed an ambitious airport expansion project in November 2011. The airport includes a new runway, a control tower equipped with the most modern radio and air traffic control equipment in the Caribbean. Additionally, there is a new Terminal Approach Radar Control facility and a new Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS). This new facility also provides a back-up to the National Radar System located in Santo Domingo. A second international terminal opened in 2014 is designed to accommodate 6,500 passengers daily.


* On May 22, 2005, a [[Skyservice Airlines|Skyservice]] [[Boeing 767|767-300]] suffered from a fracture in the upper fuselage and damaged landing gear after experiencing a hard landing and bouncing multiple times following a flight from [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto]]. There were a few injuries but no fatalities among the 318 occupants of the aircraft and it was repaired and returned to service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20050522-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 767-31KER C-GLMC Punta Cana Airport|work=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>
<br>It is also planned to open a third terminal and renovate runway 09/27 while also constructing a Cargo Terminal.<ref name="travelpulse" />
* On October 13, 2014, the engine of a [[Jetstream Bae 32]] aircraft belonging to [[Air Century]] Airlines caught fire while landing after a charter flight from [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport]] in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. The airplane crew declared an emergency and landed the aircraft at 20:45 local time, after a 49-minute flight, but the plane was destroyed in a subsequent fire. There were no injuries among the 13 passengers and two crew members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/SeincendiaavinquedespegdesdeSanJuan-1872202.html|title=Se incendia avión que despegó desde San Juan|work=El Nuevo Dia|access-date=4 October 2015|archive-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103032255/http://www.elnuevodia.com/SeincendiaavinquedespegdesdeSanJuan-1872202.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* On February 10, 2016, [[Orenair]] Flight 554 to [[Moscow Domodedovo Airport]] reported an engine fire and smoke in the cabin. The crew decided to turn around and land the aircraft, without dumping fuel, rather circling around the airport. Upon landing the overweight aircraft, the landing gear overheated and caught fire, and the aircraft was evacuated. There were no injuries among the 371 occupants of the [[Boeing 777]] and it remained grounded at the airport for 10 months, leaving in December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avherald.com/h?article=493c6485|title=Incident: Orenair B772 at Punta Cana on Feb 10th 2016, engine shut down in flight, burst tyre and smoke on landing|work=The Aviation Herald|access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref>
== U.S. preclearance ==
Plans were underway for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection [[United States border preclearance|preclearance]] station to be opened at the airport by the end of summer 2009,<ref>[http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2008/7/25/28787/Busiest-Dominican-airport-to-have-US-Customs-Immigration-station-Nuevo Busiest Dominican airport to have U.S. Customs, Immigration station, Nuevo Diario reports] from the ''Dominican Times'' retrieved 25 July 2008</ref> however, this has not yet begun. According to Frank Rainieri, president of Grupo Puntacana, negotiations have re-opened (June, 2015) and he anticipates that this airport will be the first in Latin America to offer such preclearance service.<ref>[http://www.bavaronews.com/semanal/index.php/actualidad/locales/3922-aeropuerto-de-punta-cana-primero-en-la-region-listo-para-pre-inspeccion|title=''Bavaro News; Year X; edition 287; page 4'']</ref>

== Accidents and incidents ==
On October 13, 2014, the engine of a [[Jetstream Bae 32]] aircraft belonging to [[Air Century]] Airlines caught fire while landing after a charter flight from [[Luis Munoz Marin International Airport]] in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. The airplane crew declared an emergency and landed the aircraft at 8:45 PM local time, after a 49-minute flight, but the plane was destroyed in a subsequent fire. There were no injuries among the 13 passengers and two crew members on the flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/SeincendiaavinquedespegdesdeSanJuan-1872202.html|title=Se incendia avión que despegó desde San Juan|work=El Nuevo Dia|accessdate=4 October 2015}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of the busiest airports in Dominican Republic]]

*[[List of the busiest airports in Dominican Republic]]
* [[List of the busiest airports in the Caribbean]]
* [[Tourism]]
*[[List of the busiest airports in the Caribbean]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commonscat-inline|Punta Cana International Airport}}
{{Commons category-inline|Punta Cana International Airport}}
* [http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/ Punta Cana International Airport] – Official website
* {{Official website|http://www.puntacanainternationalairport.com/}}

* {{WAD|MDPC}}
{{Portal bar|Dominican Republic|Aviation}}


{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Airports in the Dominican Republic|state=show}}
{{Airports in the Dominican Republic|state=show}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in La Altagracia Province]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in La Altagracia Province]]
[[Category:Airports in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Airports in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1984]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1983]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Privately owned airports]]

Latest revision as of 16:01, 3 January 2025

Punta Cana International Airport

Aeropuerto Internacional Punta Cana
Summary
Airport typePrivate-owned, Public-use
Owner/OperatorPuntacana Resort and Club
Grupo Puntacana
ServesPunta Cana, Higüey, Bávaro
LocationPunta Cana in La Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic
Opened17 December 1983; 41 years ago (1983-12-17)
Operating base forArajet[1]
Elevation AMSL40 ft / 12.2 m
Coordinates18°34′00″N 68°21′07″W / 18.56667°N 68.35194°W / 18.56667; -68.35194
Websitepuntacanainternationalairport.com
Map
PUJ/MDPC is located in the Dominican Republic
PUJ/MDPC
PUJ/MDPC
Location of airport in Dominican Republic
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 10,171 3,100 Asphalt concrete
09/27 10,171 3,100 Asphalt concrete
Statistics (2023)
Total passengers9,162,782
Aircraft operations55,100
Source: Banco Central República Dominicana
1 Runway 08/26 Main runway.
2 Runway 09/27 back up runway.

Punta Cana International Airport (IATA: PUJ, ICAO: MDPC) is a privately owned commercial airport in Punta Cana, eastern Dominican Republic. The airport was built with open-air terminals and roofs covered in palm fronds. Grupo Punta Cana built the airport, which was designed by architect Oscar Imbert, and inaugurated it in December 1983.[2] It is owned by Grupo Punta Cana and became the first privately owned international airport in the world.[3]

The airport is the busiest in the Dominican Republic, and the second-busiest of the Caribbean, only behind Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. In 2022, more than 8.3 million passengers (arrivals and departures combined) passed through the terminals that year, with almost 50,000 commercial aircraft operations.[4][5] In 2023, the airport accounted for 60% of all air arrivals in the Dominican Republic.[6] The airport serves 90 airports in 26 countries.[7]

History

[edit]
Aerial view
Control tower
Terminal interior
Apron view

Beginnings

[edit]

The history of aviation in the Punta Cana region started in 1971, when Grupo Puntacana built the first hotel in the area, called "Punta Cana Club", along with a small airstrip. There were no terminals and no runway; it was just a flat piece of land. The only problem was that the area was very secluded from the rest of the Dominican Republic. Also, many more people were starting to go to Punta Cana for vacation, with more and more small cabins being built. Since there were no roads nor harbors, the only way to get into Punta Cana was by air.[2]

In the late 1970s a road was built to connect the area with the capital of La Altagracia Province, Higüey. Tourists from various countries started to come in. They had to pass through Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, then take a short flight in a small plane to Punta Cana. The airstrip itself had significant problems, such as having a very short runway and still no terminal. This meant passengers would exit their plane and be directed onto a road to be picked up to ride to their hotel, which was inconvenient. Grupo PuntaCana knew it needed a real airport.

Planning and construction

[edit]

In late 1974, Grupo Puntacana started to plan the first private international airport. However, the local government disapproved of the new airport. After eight full years of arguing with the province, a contract was made to begin construction on the new airport. The airport would be built where the old airstrip stood. In early 1981 planning started on the airport. Oscar Imbert (son of General Antonio Imbert) was chosen as architect. He wanted the terminal architecture to be based on Native American Tainos and Arawak structures. At the same time, he wanted to give the passengers a paradise feeling. The problem was that the planners did not want to pay for expensive air conditioning. The solution to this problem was to build the terminal in such a way that the coastal breezes from the Caribbean Sea would come in and cool down the passengers. The terminal building was planned to have palm fronds for the roof, and stone from the nearby jungles for the walls. For the columns, they would use eucalyptus logs and build them in Taíno and Arawak styles.

Construction on the new airport started in early 1982, and the small airstrip had to close down. To substitute for the loss, a small concrete airstrip was made into a temporary airport. This strip would turn into a runway when the airport opened. Since the terminal was small and there was not a lot of construction needed, the terminal was completed in under four months. The runway and tarmac took a long time since there were not many construction workers building the airport. The area was secluded, which dissuaded many construction workers from trying to build the airport. However, after eight years of persuading the government, and two more years of construction, the airport began operations on 17 December 1983.

1980s

[edit]

The airport started out with a 5,000 foot (1,500 m) runway, which could fit larger propeller planes. The building was 300 square metres (3,200 sq ft) in area, and could assist 150 passengers every hour and a half.[citation needed] The small control tower also began operation.

In January 1984, Punta Cana had its first international flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by the Puerto Rican airline, Prinair. The aircraft was a small double turbo propeller aircraft with 20 passengers. In 1984, the airport received 2,976 passengers.[3]

With a proper airport, many new hotels were built. As a result, this brought an increased demand to bring jet aircraft to Punta Cana, since the airport would have to accommodate more people. This led to the airport's first expansion in 1986. The runway was extended to 7,500 feet (2,300 m), and there was a small expansion in the check-in area of the terminal, along with the renovation of the terminal. The tarmac was also expanded to accommodate jet aircraft, and the control tower had new radar systems added to it. This expansion allowed many more aircraft to land at the airport. In 1987, the first route between Punta Cana and the United States began, with Miami International Airport.[2]

During this time, new airlines from around the Caribbean started to fly here. There were only about four airlines in 1988. All of these small airlines were regional, coming from different parts of the Caribbean. The second expansion was added in 1988, with the addition of a new taxiway. In 1989, the first private jets started to fly to the airport. Towards the end of 1989, another expansion started to extend the runway to 10,171 feet (3,100 m). This expansion was completed in late 1990.[citation needed]

1990s

[edit]

The 1990s brought a major change to the airport. Now that the runway was 10,171 feet (3,100 m), long-haul jets could fly there. Some of the first airlines to fly charters to Punta Cana during this time were Monarch Airlines and Air Belgium in 1990 and 1991, respectively. Condor was expanding rapidly, following the addition of their new Boeing 767s and one of its new destinations from Frankfurt was Punta Cana.

These became the first routes from Europe and the first long-haul routes in the airport's history. Around the same time, LTU International started a route from Berlin. Many airlines around the Caribbean stopped operations to the airport, as a result of the new long-haul flights. In 1993, the airline Hapag-Lloyd Flug began a route from Düsseldorf. Air Transat began a route from Montréal, which became the first route from Canada. In 1994, American Airlines started operations to Miami International Airport. The same year, Lauda Air began operations from Vienna. The Dutch wanted a route to Punta Cana, so in January 1995, Martinair began operations from Amsterdam Schiphol. ATA Airlines started to fly to Midway International Airport in early 1996. In October 1996, the Chilean airline Lan Chile began to fly 767s from Bogota and Santiago.[citation needed]

Over time, more airlines from Europe, Canada, and the US began operations to Punta Cana. The late 1990s saw many new European charter carriers such as Britannia Airways, Air Europe, and Iberworld. There was increasing demand for an expansion, as the tarmac was not big enough to fit all of the new jet aircraft. This was becoming a major problem, as new airlines could not introduce new routes unless the airport expanded.

Towards the end of 1998, the airport became highly congested, with severe delays due to restricted space on the apron. This congestion was also exacerbated by the lack of a parallel taxiway next to runway 09/27, which meant aircraft had to backtrack down the runway in order to utilise the runway's full length when taking off or landing. The rapid growth of the airport's route network was too excessive for the small airport. As the number of passengers grew, Grupo PuntaCana planned a massive expansion, which began in 1999.

2000s

[edit]

In 2000, after the completion of the expansion, the terminal was renovated and expanded to twice its original size to 600 square metres (6,500 sq ft). A long taxiway was added to prevent a collision on the runway, and the tarmac was expanded to fit six aircraft. This expansion was completed in 2001, and airline growth continued.

During this time, Punta Cana was drastically changing, with the addition of new hotels, malls, and infrastructure. Many people were flying to Punta Cana annually, and once again the airport was crowded by 2002. A new parking lot was built along with the new PuntaCana Village. By 2003, there was a small expansion of the terminal and the tarmac was expanded to allow seven aircraft to park. This was also the year the Grupo Puntacana had begun the planning of a second runway.

In 2004, Terminal 2 opened, the second terminal at the airport.[4] As many old charter carriers from the 1990s began to cease operations to the airport, each new year brought new airlines and destinations. Several prominent leisure carriers such as Transaero, Pullmantur Air, and Corsairfly started operations with large aircraft such as the Boeing 747.

2010s

[edit]

In 2011, a new second runway was opened, which permitted more long-haul flights from countries like France, England, and Brazil with large planes such as the Boeing 747-400, the Boeing 777, and the Airbus A340.[8][9] With this expansion, the airport became the first in the Caribbean to have two runways longer than 10,000 feet. Along with the new runway, a new control tower, Terminal Approach Radar Control facility and a new Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) were all presented.[10]

In November 2014, Terminal B was officially inaugurated.[11][12] This terminal uses jet bridges, the first terminal at the airport to use them. The new terminal is also completely enclosed, unlike the other terminals at the airport.

In November 2017, a new VIP lounge opened, which included a pool.[13][14]

Facilities

[edit]

Terminals

[edit]

The airport has five terminals:[3]

  • International Terminals A and B – international commercial passenger travel
  • FBO Terminal – executive general aviation
  • National Terminal – serves national charter and general aviation flights
  • VIP Terminal – private terminal including an aircraft parking apron

Terminal A, the older terminal of the two international terminals, uses aircraft stairs for passengers to deplane and board aircraft with access for disabled people using wheelchair lifts. Terminal B was built with seven airbridges, three being for wide-body aircraft. This new terminal was completed in 2014 and can comfortably accommodate 6,500 travelers daily and over 2 million travelers annually. As of 2023, Terminal B was expanded with 7 additional gates and 3 remote gates serving multiple airlines with a modern terminal expansion. Terminal B went from 7 gates to 14 gates with boarding bridges and 3 remote gates. [11]

U.S. preclearance

[edit]

Plans were underway for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance station to be opened at the airport by the end of summer 2009;[15] however, this has not yet begun.[16] According to Frank Rainieri, president of Grupo Puntacana, negotiations have re-opened (as of June 2015) and he anticipates that this airport will be the first in Latin America to offer such preclearance service.[17] As of December 2020, the preclearance station is still planned, but is waiting to receive authorization from the Dominican Government to begin construction.[18]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Punta Cana International Airport:

AirlinesDestinations
Aerolíneas Argentinas Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Córdoba,[19] Rosario,[20] Tucumán (begins 5 January 2025)[20]
Air Canada Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau,[citation needed] Toronto–Pearson[citation needed]
Air Canada Rouge Seasonal: Halifax,[citation needed] Montréal–Trudeau,[citation needed] Ottawa,[citation needed] Quebec City,[citation needed] Toronto–Pearson[citation needed]
Air Caraibes Paris–Orly
Air Century Aruba, Curaçao, Havana, St. Maarten
Air Europa Madrid
Air Transat Montréal–Trudeau, Québec City, Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Halifax,[citation needed] London (ON),[citation needed] Moncton,[citation needed] Ottawa[citation needed]
American Airlines Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare,[citation needed] Dallas/Fort Worth,[citation needed] Miami, New York–JFK, Philadelphia
Seasonal: Boston[citation needed]
Arajet Bogotá,[21] Buenos Aires–Ezeiza,[22] Cancún,[22] Cartagena,[21] Guayaquil,[23] Kingston–Norman Manley,[22] Lima, Medellin–JMC,[21] Mexico City–AIFA,[22] Montréal–Trudeau,[22] Quito,[23] Santiago de Chile,[22] São Paulo–Guarulhos,[22] Toronto–Pearson[22]
Avelo Airlines Seasonal: Hartford (begins 21 February 2025),[24] Raleigh/Durham (begins 22 February 2025)[25]
Avianca Bogotá, Medellin–JMC
Avianca Ecuador Quito[26]
British Airways London–Gatwick
Condor Frankfurt
Copa Airlines Panama City–Tocumen
Corsair International Seasonal: Paris–Orly[citation needed]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, New York–JFK
Seasonal: Boston,[citation needed] Detroit,[citation needed] Minneapolis/St. Paul[citation needed]
Discover Airlines Frankfurt
Edelweiss Air Zürich
Flair Airlines Seasonal: Toronto–Pearson[citation needed]
Frontier Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Cleveland, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa[citation needed]
Seasonal: Atlanta,[citation needed] St. Louis,[citation needed] San Juan[citation needed]
Gol Linhas Aéreas São Paulo–Guarulhos
Iberojet Madrid[27]
Seasonal: Barcelona,[citation needed] Lisbon[citation needed]
Seasonal charter: Porto[28]
JetBlue Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Newark, New York–JFK, Orlando, San Juan
LATAM Chile Miami, Santiago de Chile
LATAM Perú Lima
LOT Polish Airlines Seasonal charter: Katowice,[citation needed] Vilnius,[citation needed] Warsaw–Chopin[citation needed]
Neos Seasonal: Milan–Malpensa[29]
Seasonal charter: Prague[citation needed]
Prinair Charter: Aguadilla[citation needed]
Sky Airline Peru Lima
Southwest Airlines Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Nashville (begins 8 March 2025),[30] Orlando[31]
Seasonal: Houston–Hobby,[32] St. Louis[citation needed]
Spirit Airlines Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Philadelphia[33]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth,[citation needed] Milwaukee,[34] Minneapolis/St. Paul[citation needed]
Sunrise Airways Port-au-Prince[35]
Sunwing Airlines Montréal–Trudeau, Québec City, Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Bagotville,[citation needed] Calgary,[citation needed] Edmonton,[citation needed] Fredericton,[citation needed] Gander,[citation needed] Halifax,[citation needed] Hamilton (ON),[citation needed] Kitchener/Waterloo,[citation needed] London (ON),[citation needed] Moncton,[citation needed] Ottawa,[citation needed] Regina,[citation needed] St. John's,[citation needed] Saskatoon,[citation needed] Vancouver,[citation needed] Winnipeg[citation needed]
TUI Airways Birmingham, London–Gatwick, Manchester
TUI fly Belgium Brussels
TUI fly Netherlands Amsterdam
TUI fly Nordic Seasonal charter: Stockholm–Arlanda[36]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles
WestJet Calgary, Toronto–Pearson
Wingo Bogota, Medellin–JMC
World2Fly Madrid
Charter: Lisbon,[citation needed] Porto[37]
Seasonal charter: Bratislava,[citation needed] Prague[38]

Statistics

[edit]
Busiest international routes from PUJ (2023)[39]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Canada Toronto-Pearson 842,975 Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines, Swoop, WestJet
2 Panama Panama City-Tocumen 667,726 Copa Airlines
3 United States New York-JFK 608,546 American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue
4 Canada Montréal-Trudeau 561,993 Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines
5 United States Miami 468,460 American Airlines, Frontier Airlines
6 United States Atlanta 388,975 Delta Air Lines
7 United States Newark 365,210 JetBlue, United Airlines
8 United States Fort Lauderdale 359,867 JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines
9 United States Charlotte 338,557
10 Colombia Bogota 306,177 Avianca, Wingo

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On May 22, 2005, a Skyservice 767-300 suffered from a fracture in the upper fuselage and damaged landing gear after experiencing a hard landing and bouncing multiple times following a flight from Toronto. There were a few injuries but no fatalities among the 318 occupants of the aircraft and it was repaired and returned to service.[40]
  • On October 13, 2014, the engine of a Jetstream Bae 32 aircraft belonging to Air Century Airlines caught fire while landing after a charter flight from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airplane crew declared an emergency and landed the aircraft at 20:45 local time, after a 49-minute flight, but the plane was destroyed in a subsequent fire. There were no injuries among the 13 passengers and two crew members.[41]
  • On February 10, 2016, Orenair Flight 554 to Moscow Domodedovo Airport reported an engine fire and smoke in the cabin. The crew decided to turn around and land the aircraft, without dumping fuel, rather circling around the airport. Upon landing the overweight aircraft, the landing gear overheated and caught fire, and the aircraft was evacuated. There were no injuries among the 371 occupants of the Boeing 777 and it remained grounded at the airport for 10 months, leaving in December 2016.[42]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Casey, David (9 July 2024). "Arajet Seeks To Add Nearly 20 International Routes From Punta Cana". AviationWeek. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Nuesta Historia (Our history)" (PDF). Grupopuntacana.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Airport Tech Data" (PDF). Puntacanainternationalairport.com. March 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Punta Cana Airport Information". Puntacanainternationalairport.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014.
  5. ^ Diario, Listin (27 December 2022). "Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana logra récord de 8 millones de pasajeros en un año". listindiario.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  6. ^ Externa, Fuente (28 February 2023). "Dominican Republic broke record in flight operations in 2022". DMK Abogados. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Punta Cana International Airport Official Website". PuntaCanaInternationalAirport.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Grupo PuntaCana inaugura nueva pista en el Aeropuerto Internacional". Arecoa.com (in Spanish). 25 November 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Construyen una nueva pista de aterrizaje en Punta Cana". Hoy Digital. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Nuestra Historia". Punta Cana International Airport. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
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