PUNTA CANA – A strategic partnership between DP World Dominican Republic and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ) has achieved a significant milestone with the integration of a new Uniworld Air Cargo aircraft into their multimodal logistics platform. This development substantially enhances the Dominican Republic’s air freight capabilities and solidifies Punta Cana’s position as an emerging logistics hub for the Americas.
The collaboration, formalized through a 2022 strategic alliance, leverages DP World’s extensive global logistics network with the premier connectivity of Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). This synergy was designed to establish a dominant freight gateway in the Caribbean region.
Operationalizing this expansion, the newly introduced aircraft will execute a consistent bi-weekly service every Tuesday and Saturday. This route is strategically designed to facilitate transit cargo, channeling an estimated 120 tons monthly from origins in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean to key European markets. The service will specialize in transporting temperature-sensitive perishables including flowers and fresh fruit, alongside pharmaceuticals, parcel shipments, and general dry cargo. Primary export nations include Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with core European destinations set for Madrid, Frankfurt, and London. Future network expansion to Canadian markets is under active consideration.
Supporting these sophisticated operations, the Punta Cana Air Cargo Hub is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. This includes an extensive 4,000-square-meter cold chain storage facility, specialized transit processing protocols, direct tarmac access for efficiency, and advanced security and handling systems.
This latest achievement builds upon the successful introduction of the first cargo aircraft in early 2024, which served as a critical proof-of-concept, validating the terminal’s operational readiness and infrastructural robustness for handling complex logistics demands.