Plans for transforming the southwestern Dominican province of Pedernales into a next-generation Caribbean tourism hub have hit a major construction milestone, with government officials confirming Cabo Rojo International Airport is on schedule to welcome its first commercial aircraft in February 2027. The confirmation came during a recent on-site progress inspection led by senior Dominican government representatives, who reviewed every stage of the large-scale infrastructure project.
During the visit, Presidential Administrative Minister José Ignacio Paliza outlined the phased operational roadmap for the new gateway. In its initial launch period, the airport will operate a restricted schedule of commercial flights, with capacity set to expand incrementally in line with growing tourist arrivals and passenger demand in the Cabo Rojo area. Paliza also added that the first batch of hotels, which will anchor the region’s new tourism offer, are projected to open their doors to guests in the latter half of 2027.
Public Works Minister Víctor Pichardo, who also joined the inspection, shared that core airport infrastructure has already reached advanced development stages. The most critical component of the project, the airport’s main runway, has entered the paving phase. The inspection team also assessed progress on other key facilities within the airport complex, including the air traffic control tower, taxiway, stormwater drainage systems, passenger terminal, and a range of supporting service and utility infrastructure.
While unseasonably heavy rainfall in recent months caused minor disruptions to some on-site construction activities, lead project engineers confirmed the overall timeline remains aligned with the 2027 operational target. Before the official government inspection, lead contractors and engineering teams had already presented detailed progress updates for each phase of the development to senior authorities, clearing the way for the official review.
As a centerpiece of the Dominican government’s long-term regional economic development strategy, Cabo Rojo International Airport is designed to unlock the untapped tourism potential of the country’s southwest. The project is intended to reposition Pedernales as a top-tier leisure and travel destination in the Caribbean, driving job creation, foreign investment, and sustainable economic growth across the region for decades to come.