Dominican Republic and El Salvador agree to boost passenger flows

As part of the strategies to boost the flow of passengers between the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, the civil aviation authorities of the governments of both countries, José Marte Piantini, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), and Homero Francisco Morales Herrera, director of the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will increase the transport of passengers and goods.

With the signing of the MOU and the initialing of the bilateral agreement, the aeronautical authorities grant each other air traffic rights that enable multiple airline designations without capacity limits between the territories.

Marte Piantini, speaking from San Salvador, said that the negotiations are the result of the Dominican Government’s commitment to promote air connectivity, “increasing the flow of passengers and strengthening commercial ties has positioned the Dominican Republic as a benchmark in air passenger traffic,” he said.

He indicated that the new document will benefit the commercial aviation of the territories, mainly to the users that are transported by the airport terminals, “the Dominican or Salvadoran airlines will be able to establish direct routes in regular or charter flight, thus allowing to increase the flow of passengers between both countries”.

He explained that the current document contemplates clauses on Commercial Agreements that allow the development of Code Shares in accordance with the air commercial policy of the two nations and includes the administrative provisions recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“The Government headed by the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, through the Civil Aviation Board, has to date signed 15 new bilateral instruments: six Air Services Agreements; six Amendment Protocols and with this one, three Memorandums of Understanding,” he emphasized.

In addition, Marte Piantini stressed that the government of President Luis Abinader, resumed negotiations on commercial aviation with the Republic of El Salvador, stalled for 25 years, referring to the Dominican-Salvadoran Memorandum of Understanding. He added that with the signing of this bilateral instrument, the airlines of both countries will be able to operate commercially to and from any of the two nations and beyond.

“With this new agreement we seek to promote and contribute strategically and jointly to the growth of the sector to continue positioning the Dominican Republic in a more global scenario,” he said.

He indicated that, of the seven Central American countries, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy, making it an attractive market especially for cargo flights.

The signing of the document grants traffic rights up to 5th freedom of the air for passenger and cargo flights and traffic rights up to 7th freedom of the air for cargo flights only.

The Dominican delegation is also integrated by: Julio César George Encarnación, ambassador of the Dominican Republic in El Salvador; Samadhi Julissa Fernández, minister counselor; Dr. Paola Plá Puello, secretary of the JAC plenary and Carolina Hernández, head of Internal Economic Policy.

The delegation of the Republic of El Salvador was composed of: Homero Francisco Morales, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador; Andrea López Moreira, deputy director of Air Navigation; Manuel Miranda, head of the Air Transport Department; Hazel Pinto, legal manager; Patricia Aguilera, director of Legal Affairs and Diego Gochez, head of Treaty Negotiation.