Santo Domingo – The Dominican Republic’s homegrown ultra-low-cost carrier Arajet has solidified its standing as a fast-growing player in the Caribbean aviation sector, after official data from the country’s Civil Aviation Board (JAC) confirmed a historic surge in passenger volumes through the first three months of 2026.
Between January and March, the airline carried a total of 496,218 passengers, counting both direct and connecting itineraries. The winter travel period delivered robust demand, with January posting the highest passenger numbers of the quarter, followed closely by March as strong travel trends held steady into the start of the spring season.
This performance marks a major milestone for the young carrier, pushing it up the ranks to become the fourth-largest airline operating in the Dominican Republic by passenger volume. It currently trails only three major U.S. carriers: JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, in that order.
In a statement following the release of JAC’s data, Arajet CEO Víctor Pacheco outlined the company’s ambitious long-term goals for 2026 and beyond. Pacheco confirmed that the airline is on track to hit its annual target of moving more than 2 million total passengers by the end of the calendar year, while working to elevate the Dominican Republic’s status as a central connectivity hub for the entire Caribbean and Latin American region.
Route data from the airline shows that New York remains the most popular destination for Arajet passengers, followed closely by Buenos Aires, Miami, Medellín, and Bogotá to round out the top five busiest routes. By volume, 25% of all Arajet passengers in the first quarter traveled to or from the United States, a trend that industry analysts attribute in large part to the bilateral open skies agreement between the two nations, which has expanded route access and lowered fares for travelers. Colombia and Argentina round out the carrier’s three largest international markets after the U.S.
Looking ahead, Arajet confirmed that it will press forward with planned network expansion, adding new routes across the Americas to drive increased tourist arrivals, support cross-border trade, and boost air connectivity for Dominican residents and international visitors alike.