Santo Domingo – A major infrastructure upgrade is officially underway at one of the Dominican Republic’s busiest air transit hubs, as airport operator AERODOM, a member of the global VINCI Airports network, has launched comprehensive rehabilitation works for Runway 17-35 at Las Américas International Airport (AILA). The overarching goal of the multi-month project is to elevate both aviation safety standards and the airport’s overall operational efficiency.
The scope of the renovation covers a series of critical upgrades, starting with pavement milling across the runway’s central section, targeted structural repairs to address wear and tear, and the installation of a brand-new asphalt overlay to restore the runway’s structural integrity. Additional complementary upgrades include a full overhaul of the runway’s drainage systems and the replacement of outdated navigational markings to meet current international aviation standards.
With a total investment of approximately $20 million, the project is scheduled for completion between April and August 2026. Notably, airport planners have designed the construction timeline to avoid interruptions to regular commercial and passenger flight operations. During the rehabilitation works, a pre-existing taxiway will be reconfigured to serve as a temporary alternate runway, allowing AILA to maintain its full flight schedule without disruption to travelers or airlines.
To mark the official launch of the initiative, senior representatives from the Dominican Republic’s civil aviation authority, alongside AERODOM executives and lead construction contractors, completed a joint technical inspection of the worksite to confirm that all pre-construction safety and preparation protocols have been met.
Industry and government officials project that the completed rehabilitation will extend the operational lifespan of Runway 17-35 by a minimum of 15 years. This upgrade is just one component of a far broader, long-term modernization strategy for Las Américas International Airport, which also includes the development of a new passenger terminal designed to accommodate up to four million additional travelers annually. When fully completed, the full modernization plan is expected to significantly strengthen the Dominican Republic’s regional and global air connectivity, supporting continued growth in the country’s key tourism and trade sectors.