Arajet has announced its entry as first low-cost flight in the Caribbean, perhaps putting an end to the region’s long-standing connectivity issues. Arajet is the first low-cost airline in the Caribbean.
The airline, which has its headquarters in Santo Domingo, claims to be on a mission to make air travel more accessible to everyone. In addition to flights to and from the Dominican Republic, the airline will provide service across the Caribbean as well as to North and South America.
According to the Dominican Republic’s president, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, “Arajet will have the full backing of the Dominican government as they attempt to increase tourism in the nation and allow Dominicans living abroad to visit their home with low-priced air tickets.”
Several weeks before the end of the year, Arajet is slated to begin operations from Las Americas International Airport. Destinations will include Caribbean islands as well as spots in Central America, the exact locations of which have not yet been divulged.
Additionally, according to the carrier’s announcement, it plans to begin offering flights to the Dominican Republic later this year to important North American cities with extensive family links to the Caribbean country.
New York, Boston, Miami, and Chicago are among the cities on the list. The Dominican Republic is home to around 2.2 million persons of Dominican heritage in the United States. Low-cost airlines are underserved in the Dominican Republic and the broader Caribbean area, and customers in our market need a more cheap method to travel in our market.
Arajet founder Victor Pacheco said, “We think Arajet is well-positioned to develop the Santo Domingo Airport into a contemporary, new center for destination and connecting traffic.” Our customers will be the winners since they will pay the lowest tickets while flying on brand new aircraft, something we are pleased about.
Pacheco and Mike Powell, who formerly served as the chief financial officer of Wizz Air, will be in charge of the company’s operations. Several aviation investors, including Bain Capital Special Situations and Griffin Global Asset Management, have committed financial support to the airline.
Boeing
A second order for 20 Boeing 737 Max aircraft was announced today, this time by Boeing and Arajet. The high-capacity 737-8-200 type has been selected by the new airline in order to reduce operating costs and extend cheap travel alternatives in the Americas, according to the company. As well as current lease agreements, Arajet has the option to acquire up to 15 more Boeing 737 Max jets, bringing the total number of aircraft in the fleet to 40 aircraft.
The order for the aircraft was finalized in January. The airline celebrated the opening of its new hub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with a press conference today. The first plane, a Boeing 737-8 leased from Griffin Global Capital Management, was delivered to the company in late February.
President Abinader, who was in attendance at the launch ceremony, as well as representatives from business, administration, and tourism, gave a tour of the plane today.
“The 737 Max is the ideal aircraft for Arajet, and it is an honor to welcome this dynamic new operator to the Boeing family,” said Mike Wilson, vice president of sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Latin America and the Caribbean. “The 737 Max is the ideal aircraft for Arajet,” Wilson said.
In addition to saving money on fuel and maintenance, flying an all Boeing 737 Max fleet will allow Arajet to pass those savings on to its clients, according to the company.
