The resumption of commercial flights between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela It still under evaluation and does not yet have a final decision, as explained by the president of the Civil Aviation Board (Jac), Héctor Porcella, who clarified that the process has transcended the technical field and is under government analysis at the level of foreign policy.
Porcella indicated that, after receiving a communication from the Venezuelan government formally requesting the reopening of air connectivity, the Jac He sent the document to the corresponding instances.
“This already transcended from the Board, and it is more than foreign policyof state policy, and, then, there the chancellor is involved, “Pantcella said.
The official recalled that Venezuela suspended Diplomatic relations With the Dominican Republic, so any advance in aerial matters must be preceded by a restoration of these relationships.
“It is a decision that is being analyzed, we have met several times, we are looking for viability, we are making the necessary consultations to see how, and as soon as possible, one could reopen air connectivity“The official said.
He added that: “That is the decision until today. There is still no final decisionobviously, the president has a lot to do with this: he consults with him, he talks to him and the options are being analyzed to see when they can do them. “
- On the impact of connectivity with Venezuela Before its suspension, Porcella said that, although the volume of passengers was important, most traveled in transit to the United States, which had a limited impact in economic terms for the country.
“Transit passengers do not pay rates or airport rights, so it did not represent relevant income For the Dominican state, “he said.
Aeronautical sector at your best
Porcella took the opportunity to highlight the historical performance of the Dominican aeronautical sectorby ensuring that “we are at the best moment of civil aviation of the Dominican Republic.”
Stressed the growth in connectivity, in the offer of seats and the positioning of Dominican airlines in the regional market.
“If you have 376 seats available in 2020, now we exceed 4,000. For the first time one Dominican airline is among the 10 that move more to the country. In addition, we have more than 70 aerial agreements signed with different countries and an aviation incentive law that further strengthens the sector, “he said.
He also highlighted the improvement in competitiveness in prices after signing the agreement of open skies With the United States.
“Thanks to that agreement, passages to destinations such as Miami, New York or Puerto Rico cost up to 50 % less than six months ago. That is direct result of greater competition between airlines“He added.
AreaT discards flights to Venezuela in the short term
Consulted about a possible expansion towards Venezuelahe Chief Communications Officer (Cco) of ARAJETManuel Luna, clarified that it is not in the plans of the airline to open routes to that country, at least until 2026.
“It has no relationship. It is a Strategic Decision of AreaT“, said.
Although he argued that AreaT favors any initiative that allows improving connectivity between countries, confirmed that the airline has not issued specific pronouncements on the situation of Flights to Venezuela.
A strategic and pending air connectivity
From both fronts, both institutional and business, the importance of expanding is recognized air connectivity. However, the route between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela It continues conditioned by geopolitical and diplomatic factors that go beyond commercial or tourist interest, which keeps its resumption in pause.
