Dominican Air may soon be a reality. With talks underway with a group of Dominican and foreign investors to contribute 10% of the funding needed to begin operations. The group consists of National Hotel Association (ASONAHORES) president Luis Lopez, Punta Cana Group representative Paola Rainieri, Casa Colonial president Roberto Cassoni, Viva Wyndham Hotels president Ettore Colussi, Lawrence Hazoury of the AERODOM Group, Marino Ginebra, Linnette Arbaje, Dominigo Bermudez, Nick Tawil Fernandez of Roco Ki and others. It was the fourth time they have met with Tourism Minister Felix Jiménez who expects the funding to come in by the end of next week.

Expected to start operations in April 2008, the airline requires an initial investment of US$10 million. Spanish tycoon and president of the Group Globalia and Air Europe, Juan Jose (Pepe) Hidalgo, will provide 30% of the capital with the remaining 70% to come from Dominican sources. They will begin flights in with a new Boeing 737-800, adding another one in June and a wide cabin Boeing 767 in October. Technical and commercial operations will be run by the Spanish company Air Europe who will also train pilots and crew on procedures and operations..