Santo Domingo.-Five months before the first milestone for the construction of the new terminal of the Las Américas International Airport (AILA), the Government plans to subject the company Vinci Airports to international courts, in case the committed work is not visibly started.
During a meeting with media directors and opinion leaders held at the National Palace, President Luis Abinader warned that legal submission would occur if the works, announced in August of last year, do not begin in the short term. It is worth remembering that, in November of last year, the State imposed a fine of US$5 million on Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), a company owned by the Vinci group, after the blackout in the northern terminal of AILA in September.
The Airport Commission determined that the electrical failure occurred due to a breakdown in medium voltage equipment and the lack of availability of the backup system, conditions that, according to the official report, compromise the responsibility of the concessionaire.
Renewal
The Dominican State granted the renewal of the operation contract for the AILA, Gregorio Luperón (Puerto Plata), Presidente Juan Bosch (Samaná), Arroyo Barril (Samaná), Joaquín Balaguer (La Isabela) and María Montez (Barahona) airports, with the objective of guaranteeing the execution of structural improvements and modernization.
In this sense, the Government assured that it has exhausted various means of communication and dialogue processes with the concessionaire company before evaluating legal actions. For the Executive Branch, the modernization of AILA is a strategic priority that cannot be postponed beyond the agreed deadlines.
The renegotiation of the contract, according to official data, represented a benefit for the Dominican Republic of more than US$2,000 million, of which the State has already received an advance of US$775 million.
Reaction
For its part, Aerodom reported that the project for the construction of the new AILA terminal is progressing according to the agreed schedule and in strict compliance with the concession contract.
The company assured that the work is being carried out under international construction standards.
The concessionaire explained that, although some phases of the project are not visible to the naked eye, they are essential to avoid future interruptions.
He specified that the preliminary work formally began in June 2025, marking the beginning of a large-scale work for the country. “This large-scale project, in accordance with standard international practices, includes essential preparatory and technical phases.
Although these stages are not always visible on the site, they are essential to guarantee efficient and uninterrupted construction,” said Luis José López, company spokesperson.
Currently, the project is in a technical preparation phase, which includes specialized studies and obtaining the necessary permits, steps prior to the intensification of the main construction, in accordance with the established plan.
Works
— Advances
Two years after the renegotiation of the contract of the Dominican State with the Aerodom company, one of the announced road works has already been completed and two remain in execution, financed with the initial payment of 775 million dollars.
