Arajet To Begin Flights From Three U.S. Cities in 2025

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 20, 2024--

Arajet, the low-fare Dominican airline, today announced its plans to enter the U.S. market in the second quarter of 2025 with flights from New York, Miami, and Puerto Rico. Arajet has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Open Skies agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States to bring these three key routes to the U.S.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220178187/en/

“This is an important milestone and we are excited to officially launch in the United States next year,” said Victor Pacheco, CEO and founder of Arajet. “These routes will open more travel to the U.S., a very important market for the Dominican Republic, and our low-fare flights will provide new opportunities to grow tourism and business. We’re eager to welcome American travelers and its diaspora communities to the Dominican Republic and further establish the country as an exciting hub connecting to 16 countries in the Americas.”

Arajet has the largest passenger movement of all Dominican airlines, surpassing one million passengers in 2024 and flying over 100,000 passengers for several consecutive months. This represents more than 7% of the total number of passengers flying to and from the Dominican Republic, emphasizing the airline’s growing presence in the country's air market. The airline operates two hubs with connecting flights to 23 destinations, and since opening its second hub in Punta Cana, Arajet is projected as the most active Dominican airline.

“With Open Skies coming into effect today, Arajet’s routes to the U.S. are now approved to move forward,” commented David Collado, the Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic. “This is a huge victory and realizes our vision to enable all Dominican airlines to fly to more destinations and increase competitiveness with the most important market for the country.”

The Open Skies Air Transport Agreement between the Dominican and the U.S. represents an important achievement in air connectivity, eliminating restrictions on flight routes and frequencies between the two countries. American tourists can soon enjoy more affordable, direct routes to the D.R., which will promote economic growth in the country.

Ticket sales are expected to begin once final approval is received from the FAA. To learn more about the Caribbean's leading low-priced airline, visit www.arajet.com.

About Arajet
Arajet is the first low-fare airline in the Caribbean region. It began operations in September 2022 from its base at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, under its Dominican Republic air operator certificate (AOC). Arajet operates a new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft fleet that provides safe and affordable travel to and from the Dominican Republic to various destinations in North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.Arajet.com.

Arajet expects to launch routes from New York, Miami, and Puerto Rico to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana in 2025. (Photo: Business Wire)

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Friday that veteran Labour Party politician Peter Mandelson will be the U.K.'s next ambassador to Washington, a rare appointment for someone outside the diplomatic corps.

Mandelson, who served in senior posts in the governments of former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown between 1997 and 2010, is set to take up his job early next year.

“The United States is one of our most important allies and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship, Peter will bring unrivalled experience to the role and take our partnership from strength to strength," Starmer said.

Starmer is hoping that Mandelson, who will replace Karen Pierce, will play a crucial behind-the-scenes role during President Donald Trump's second term in the White House, which formally begins on Jan. 20 after his inauguration.

Mandelson, 71, had been considered a front-runner for the job, which is seen as Britain’s most important diplomatic post.

“We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities and it will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and our nation’s security, and to advance our historic alliance with the United States,” Mandelson said.

Mandelson is known as a skilled political operator and was one of the key architects of Labour's 1997 return to power under Blair after 18 years in opposition. He served in Blair's government from 1997 to 2001 and as business secretary under Brown from 2008 to 2010, and in between was the European Commissioner for trade.

His trade expertise is likely to prove vital in dealing with the Trump administration, which has threatened to impose tariffs on almost all imported goods.

It is rare for politicians to be appointed as U.K. ambassadors — the jobs usually go to career diplomats.

FILE - Peter Mandelson, British Labour politician, arrives at a memorial service for former leader of the Liberal Democrats Lord Paddy Ashdown at Westminster Abbey in London, Sept. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)