Dominican airline Arajet transported 16.3 per cent more passengers between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic over the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according DR government figures.

Data from the Dominican Republic Civil Aviation Board (JAC) reveals that Jamaica continues to play an increasingly important role in Arajet’s Caribbean network, with 19,740 point-to-point passengers transported on its direct services connecting Kingston with Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, compared to the 16,976 passengers carried in 2025.

The Jamaican market also contributed to Arajet’s strongest first half in the company’s history.

According to JAC, the airline transported 922,593 passengers on flights to and from the Dominican Republic between January and June 2026. Combined with more than 100,000 connecting passengers traveling through its hubs in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, Arajet surpassed one million passengers carried during a first half for the first time, becoming the first Dominican airline to achieve this milestone.

As the only airline offering direct flights between these two Caribbean countries, Arajet has eliminated the need for lengthy and costly layovers in third countries, reducing travel time to less than two hours, the airline stated in a press release.

Beyond serving travelers between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, Arajet’s hubs in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana have become an increasingly attractive gateway for Jamaicans connecting to destinations across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. This expanded network continues to strengthen regional connectivity while offering more affordable and convenient travel options, the release stated.

The sustained growth in passenger traffic reflects the increasing demand for direct travel between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic while reinforcing Arajet’s role as a regional connector, the airline said, noting that through its expanding network, Jamaican travelers are increasingly using Santo Domingo and Punta Cana as convenient gateways to destinations including New York, Medellín and São Paulo, among many others across the Americas.

To further deepen its engagement with the Jamaican market, Arajet has formed a strategic alliance with global leadership strategist, author, and entrepreneur Heneka Watkis-Porter, whose organisation, Grace to Grow Mentorship and Training has just signed an MOU with the Colombian Embassy. In this role, Watkis-Porter will serve as a bridge between the airline and Jamaica’s growing professional and business communities, showcasing Arajet’s “best value” connectivity for regional expansion, according to the airline.

It added that its continued expansion is driven by a commitment to democratizing air travel and making regional connectivity more accessible for Caribbean travelers, while strengthening tourism, business and cultural exchange between Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and the wider Americas.

In addition to passenger growth, 2024 data from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism provides valuable insight into today’s Jamaican traveler visiting the Dominican Republic:

● Youthful & Professional: The market is dominated by young adults, with 48.4 per cent of travelers between 21 and 35 years old, while another 25.2 per cent fall within the 36–49 age group.
● Female-Led Travel: Women account for 56.3 per cent of all Jamaican visitors.
● Lifestyle & Leisure Focus: Recreation remains the primary travel motivation, representing 83.1 per cent of visits.
● Kingston Hub: Kingston continues to be the country’s primary gateway, with 39.9 per cent of travelers residing in the capital and 78.6 per cent departing from Norman Manley International Airport.
● Authentic Experiences: While Punta Cana remains the preferred destination for 49.4 per cent of Jamaican visitors, travel preferences continue to diversify. 25.7 per cent choose traditional all-inclusive resorts, while 24.4 per cent opt for boutique and independent hotels, reflecting growing interest in more authentic cultural experiences.

“Surpassing one million passengers carried during the first half of the year marks a historic milestone for Arajet and for Dominican aviation. Jamaica continues to be an important Caribbean market for our growth, and we remain committed to strengthening the direct air bridge between our two countries while providing Jamaicans with more affordable access to destinations across the Americas through our Dominican Republic hubs,” said Víctor Pacheco Méndez, founder and CEO of Arajet.

Arajet said it continues to offer the region’s most competitive fares with nonstop service between Kingston, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, while providing seamless onward connections throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.