Over the past three years, the Dominican Republic’s civil aviation sector has posted robust, sustained expansion, logging a total of 585,363 flight operations that have enabled over 50 million passenger trips, according to the top official of the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC).
Igor Rodríguez Durán, Director General of IDAC, shared new official sector data breaking down the recent growth trajectory: 2024 recorded 212,023 flight movements, while 2025 saw a slight uptick to 217,620 operations. By the end of August 2026, cumulative flight operations for the year already reached 155,720, putting the country on track to maintain its strong industry momentum.
Rodríguez Durán attributed this steady growth to substantial targeted investments in modern aviation infrastructure, upgraded equipment, and specialized technical training rolled out under the administration of President Luis Abinader. Today, the Dominican Republic stands out as a regional leader in civil aviation, he noted, outpacing many neighboring markets in operational efficiency and service quality.
The IDAC director emphasized that a thriving civil aviation sector acts as a core engine of nationwide economic activity, supporting key industries from tourism to trade and local business development. To preserve this momentum, the agency has prioritized strict adherence to international safety regulations and ongoing upgrades to operational protocols.
In a major announcement confirming the sector’s continued expansion, Rodríguez Durán revealed that the Dominican Republic’s ninth international airport is on track to launch commercial operations in 2027. The new terminal is being developed in the municipality of Oviedo, located in the southwestern Pedernales province, with the explicit goal of unlocking accelerated growth across the underdeveloped Enriquillo region.
IDAC is currently in the process of procuring and installing cutting-edge navigation, safety, and passenger service equipment, all designed to meet the highest global standards ahead of the airport’s opening. According to Rodríguez Durán, the new infrastructure will deliver transformative benefits for Enriquillo’s local population, opening up new pathways for economic opportunity, social connectivity, and tourism development that have long been out of reach for the region.
“IDAC will continue working to ensure that the expansion of Dominican civil aviation meets the highest standards of operational safety,” he added, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to balancing growth with public safety as the sector evolves.