Punta Cana - Frank Rainieri, President of the Puntacana Group, has announced the expansion of the International Airport of Punta Cana. Among the construction plans are a new runway at a cost of US$30million. With PUJ being the biggest airport in the Dominican Republic in terms of arriving passengers (almost 60% of all arrivals come here) a new runway and terminal building will help boost further the areas tourism.

The new runway will be 3,110 meters long and is expected to be completed by April 2011. Punta Cana is expecting a 7-10% increase in tourist arrivals this year, and along with other airports in the Dominican Republic, is the first and last impression to said tourists and hence the airport is expected to give an excellent service from start to finish.

There are seven international airports in the Dominican Republic. These are:

Las Americas International Airport

In the capital city of Santo Domingo is the second busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. The following airlines provide service from Europe,  the United States, and Canada:  American Airlines, American Eagle, Copa, Continental Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit, US Airways, Air France, Iberia, Air Europa, Lufthansa, Pan Am, Air Caraibes, LIAT, and Air Canada.  Designation SDQ (MDSD).  Runway length 11,000 feet.  Phone 809-549-0450.

Punta Cana International Airport

Is a privately owned commercial airport that services flights from all over the world. Punta Cana is a tourist destination located on the east coast of the island.  Both scheduled and charter flights arrive here and in the year 2002 the airport handled over 1 million travelers, to surpass Las Americas Airport as the busiest airport in the country.  Designation PUJ (MDPC).  Runway length 10,100 feet.  Phone 809-668-4749.

La Romana/Casa de Campo International Airport

Is located near the city of La Romana and the tourist resort of Casa de Campo, in the southeast of the Dominican Republic.  It is a fairly new airport that was opened in the year 2000 and handles scheduled airlines and charter flights from Europe, Canada, and the United States.  Designation LRM (MDLR).  Runway length 6,500 feet.  Phone 809-556-5565.

Maria Montez International Airport 

Was founded in 1996 and bears the name of the 1940’s Hollywood film star who was born in Barahona.  The airport is located in the city of Barahona on the southeast coast of the island.  Designation BRX.  Runway length 9,843 feet.  Phone 809-524-4109.

Cibao International Airport

In the city of Santiago services airlines from the United States, Panama, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Puerto Rico.  Designation STI (MDST).  Runway length 8,595 feet.  Phone 809-582-4894.

Gregorio Luperon International Airport

Is located just outside the city of Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.  It is also known as La Union/Puerto Plata International Airport.  Along with the Las Americas International and Punta Cana International, it is also one of the busiest airports on the island.  Besides domestic flights, and regularly scheduled flights it also handles hundreds of charter flights a week bringing visitors to the various tourist destinations on the north coast.  Designation POP (MDPP).  Runway length 10,105 feet.  Phone 809-586-0107 or 809-586-0219..

El Catey International Airport

In Samana which received its first international flight on November 7^th, was officially inaugurated on December 12, 2006.  A big boom to the tourism industry in this province, this airport will now handle international charter flights from Europe and Canada.  Designation AZS.  Runway length 9,843 feet.