Arajet, the Dominican Republic’s main flag carrier, successfully made its first flight to the United States on April 11. Flight 2100 took off from Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo and landed at Miami International Airport, marking a historic milestone for the airline and the Dominican aviation industry. The flight carried 189 passengers on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 named Los Haitises and was welcomed by MIA officials and representatives from the U.S. and Dominican governments.
Arajet now operates four weekly flights between Santo Domingo and Miami. This summer, it will increase its Miami-Santo Domingo service to daily flights and also add four weekly flights between Punta Cana and MIA. Since beginning operations 30 months ago, Arajet has already carried more than two million passengers, and this expansion into the U.S. market represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s presence in international aviation.
In Miami, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue welcomed the flight with a water cannon salute before the aircraft was parked at gate E10. The Dominican and American flags were seen waving outside the cockpit in celebration.
During the ceremony, Pacheco, MIA representatives, and Caroline O’Connor, President of Business Operations for the Miami Marlins, exchanged a Dominican national baseball team jersey with a Marlins jersey as part of this iconic and historic celebration. Arajet’s expansion into the U.S. market underscores the rapid growth of the Dominican aviation sector and its ability to compete globally.