Tourism Minister David Collado emphasized Thursday the importance of the DR and the United States moving towards the definitive signing of an open skies agreement, which would give Dominican airlines access to establish direct flights to any state of the North American giant.
“We need direct flights with the capital of the world to the DR”, remarked the official when referring to Washington, D.C., a state with which the country lacks air routes, as well as others on the U.S. West Coast, such as Los Angeles.
It is intended that the opening of the agreement will generate a competitive scenario to reduce the cost of airline tickets, which can exceed US$1,000 in economy class for a Dominican family during the high season, such as December.
In his opinion, the agreement could stimulate the creation of more low-cost airlines that increase intra-regional air connectivity, as has been the case of Arajet, whose offer strengthened air routes with South American countries.
“What we want is, with a very clear vision, pro competition, pro competitiveness and free enterprise, which is the vision of this Government, that there is competition; what has happened in Latin America with the effect of Arajet; is what we want to happen with the United States,” he stressed during a press conference, in which he released the results of visitor arrivals for the first quarter of this year.
Currently, Dominican airlines can travel to those states that have allowed them, such as Miami, New York, Boston or Puerto Rico, according to the minister, who indicated to the press that the signing of the agreement will take place at the National Palace “very soon”, without specifying the date.
Source: Mitur.gob.do
