LONDON – The newest flagship carrier of the Dominican Republic Arajet has announced its official launch of operations. The carrier has been operating services since September 15, however, the airline made its official announcement of the launch today.

Arajet Launches Robust Network

The new low-cost carrier is planning to build a network of an estimated 22 destinations over 12 countries, over the coming months using a fleet of Boeing 737MAX aircraft it will be one of the most modering and fuel-efficient fleets in the region.

The airline’s first flights were launched on September 15 and 16 where it operated services to Barranquilla and Cali in Colombia and to Aruba.

Marking the new airline’s launch with service to San Salvador in El Salvador, an event was hosted by the President of the Dominican Republic Mr Luis Abinader and Mrs Morena Valdez who is the Minister of Tourism of El Salvador.

Commenting at the event President Abinader said: “We celebrate the launch of Arajet as our newest national carrier. Our government will continue supporting Arajet and the overall aeronautical industry to assure its competitiveness and create an air hub that promotes tourism, trade and cultural exchange, and provides an opportunity for all Dominicans abroad to visit their country at affordable prices,”

Arajet will continue to expand its operations later this month with additional services to Saint Maarten in the Caribbean, Lima in Peru, Mexico City, Monterrey, Cancun in Mexico and Guatemala City in Guatemala.

It is expected then the carrier will add services to Curaçao, San José in Costa Rica, Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador, Medellín and Bogotá in Colombia as well as destinations in North America in October.

New Airline Grows Economy

The carrier estimated it will carry more than 7 million passengers over the next 5 years, which is suspected will generate more than 4,000 direct and around 40,000 indirect jobs in the region.

Tourism Minister David Collado commented saying: “With Arajet’s launch our country will begin to feel the impact the airline will have in the Dominican Republic.”

“Arajet will contribute to the growth of the tourism industry and attract more visitors from new destinations so we can continue reaching record numbers in tourist arrivals and diversify the nationality of our visitors with fair rates that connect Santo Domingo with the continent.”

“We reaffirm our commitment, assumed jointly with the Tourism Cabinet led by President Abinader, to strengthen public policies related to the tourism and the aeronautical sector to promote its development,”

Revolutionising the Dominican Market

Víctor Pacheco Méndez, CEO of Arajet highlighted the airline’s commitment to the low-cost carrier model saying that it will attract more tourists and increase connectivity, while also offering more affordable travel options for millions of Dominican business and leisure travelers.

commenting on this decision Mr Méndez said: “We are excited to commence operations and provide Dominicans and all our guests with low fares, world-class customer experience and a new growing network from and to Santo Domingo to major cities in The Americas,”

“Our mission is to build services for our guests by utilizing state-of-the-art aircraft fleet with the latest technology, to strengthen and facilitate the country’s connection to the world while promoting domestic tourism internationally.”

The decision to move into a low-cost carrier model also means like all other LLC operators that Arajet will need to operate a single plane fleet, which helps keep maintenance and training costs down.

Selecting the Boeing 737MAX may have been considered a risk which has a chequered past since its introduction, however, the plane now under its new safety regulations has returned safely to the skies for many carriers.

Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing said: “The 737 MAX family of airplanes is well suited to Arajet’s network with the 737-8 enabling profitable new routes and the 737-8-200 providing unrivalled efficiencies,”

“The flexibility of the 737 MAX ensures Arajet can meet its goal of making flying more affordable and accessible across the Caribbean and beyond, with safe, sustainable and reliable service.”

The carrier has already received 5 of 8 direct leases and has a direct order for 20 new 737 MAX planes which will allow it to continue to grow and invest in its fleet, with 15 additional options to be delivered over the next 5 years.