Reef Jet boosts domestic tourism: opens Santiago-Punta Cana link

Reef Jet Airlines and Cibao International Airport (AIC) announced the first commercial air connection between Santiago and Punta Cana, as an initial part of a series of operations they plan to launch on September 29, 2023.

The operations will be carried out every Friday and Sunday, offering domestic and international passengers a new and fast alternative for travel from the north to the east of the Dominican Republic, with the option of linking airline seats with tourist experiences and accommodations in Santiago, Puerto Plata, La Vega, Espaillat, San Francisco de Macorís, as well as in Punta Cana, thanks to an exercise of strategic alliances carried out by the airline company.

In this regard, passengers who wish to travel from Santiago to Punta Cana may leave on Fridays at 02:00 in the afternoon and return from Punta Cana on Sundays, departing at 04:00 in the afternoon. On the other hand, those who are in Punta Cana and wish to go to Santiago may travel on Fridays from PUJ-STI at 01:00 in the afternoon and return to Punta Cana on Sunday at 05:00 in the afternoon.

Initially the fare will be US$99.00 each way, plus airfare, in the flight-only mode; or US$199.00, plus airfare, in the experiential version that includes airfare, roundtrip, roundtrip transfers to and from their hotels in Punta Cana, half-day excursion (seasonal) and a 35-pound suitcase as luggage.

Departures will be through the FBO terminal of both airports, which guarantees an agile and comfortable embarkation and disembarkation process, according to a press release.

The new service is part of the airline’s expansion plans for the coming months, creating options for multi-destination tourist getaways within the national territory, in a comfortable, fast and safe way. In addition to promoting the diversification of the tourist offer, boosting domestic tourism and the regional economy, promoting gastronomy, culture, religiosity and sports at every point of the national geography.

César González, CEO of Reef Jet, while presenting the details in an activity from the Cibao terminal, said that in only 50 minutes it will be possible to make the trip, which used to take each passenger approximately six hours. This is the first time that both destinations are connected by air on commercial flights.

“For Reef Jet, connecting with the tourist offer of the Dominican destinations is a priority, for which reason they have already been in contact with the main tourist clusters of the Cibao region, as well as with local travel agencies and hotel chains, in order to offer their clients the most complete experiences, with the best prices in the market,” he added.

Teófilo Gómez, general manager of the Cibao International Airport, thanked the airline for the route that will connect Cibao with Punta Cana, as a contribution to domestic tourism.

“This alliance with Reef Jet reaffirms the institution’s commitment to provide greater services to its users,” he said.

With the service in Punta Cana, they will be operating with the tour operator OTIUM, offering transfers to and from the airport, as well as reservations and booking of water and land excursions. The hotel packages will be handled by travel agents, who will be an essential part of the value chain.