Thousands of Travellers Stranded at Punta Cana, Las Américas, and Cibao International Airport in Dominican Republic as 45 Flights Are Delayed and 95 Cancelled Disrupting Aeromexico, Viva, Aerobus, Interjet and Major US and Caribbean Routes

Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Santiago, Dominican Republic — Travelers across the Dominican Republic faced a day of mounting uncertainty after three of the country’s main international airports recorded a combined 45 delays and 95 cancellations, creating widespread disruption across Caribbean and US-bound routes. For many passengers, what began as routine travel quickly turned into hours of waiting, rebooking, and recalculating plans.

From honeymooners bound for Punta Cana’s resorts to Dominican families returning from overseas visits, the disruption reshaped itineraries and raised fresh concerns about aviation resilience during high-demand travel periods.

Punta Cana International Airport Sees Highest Delay Volume

At Punta Cana International Airport, the nation’s busiest tourism hub, authorities reported 34 delays and 32 cancellations. As the primary arrival point for international leisure travelers, Punta Cana’s operational health is closely tied to the Dominican Republic’s tourism-driven economy.

The airport handles a substantial share of arrivals from the United States, Canada, and Europe. When cancellations occur at this scale, the effects extend beyond terminals — hotel transfers, excursion bookings, and cruise connections often require last-minute adjustments.

According to the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism, Punta Cana consistently ranks as the country’s top gateway for international visitors. Any disruption here reverberates quickly through the hospitality sector.

Las Américas International Airport Faces Capital Connectivity Strain

At Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, officials recorded 8 delays and 31 cancellations. Serving the capital city, Las Américas plays a dual role in both business and tourism travel.

As the primary airport for government, diplomatic, and corporate travel, cancellations at Las Américas can affect regional trade and administrative movement. Aviation authorities including the Junta de Aviación Civil (JAC) and the Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC) oversee regulatory compliance and operational standards at the airport.

Government aviation guidance frequently emphasizes that schedule irregularities may result from aircraft rotation challenges, crew logistics, airspace coordination, or weather conditions affecting origin or destination airports.

Cibao International Airport Records High Cancellation Ratio

In Santiago, Cibao International Airport reported 3 delays and 32 cancellations, marking one of the highest cancellation ratios among the three hubs.

Cibao serves northern Dominican communities and is particularly important for the Dominican diaspora traveling between the island and major US cities. A high cancellation count here disproportionately impacts returning residents and family travelers.

Because many diaspora routes operate on limited weekly frequencies, rebooking options may be more constrained compared to larger hubs, extending passenger inconvenience.

Government Oversight and Aviation Stability

The Dominican Republic’s aviation framework operates under the supervision of IDAC and JAC, both responsible for ensuring safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.

While authorities have not indicated any systemic safety issue, aviation experts explain that disruption clusters often stem from interconnected factors including:

• Aircraft scheduling constraints
• Air traffic congestion at international hubs
• Weather disturbances in connecting cities
• Crew availability and duty-time regulations

Given the Dominican Republic’s heavy reliance on North American routes, operational challenges abroad can cascade into Caribbean schedules rapidly.

Tourism and Economic Ripple Effects

Tourism represents a cornerstone of the Dominican economy. When airports experience elevated cancellations, hotels, transport providers, and tour operators feel the secondary effects.

Travel advisors note that passengers arriving after long delays often shorten excursions or adjust resort bookings. Short-stay travelers may lose significant vacation time due to overnight rerouting.

Despite these challenges, industry analysts stress that the Dominican Republic has historically demonstrated strong operational recovery after disruption events. Punta Cana’s public-private airport model has invested heavily in terminal upgrades and capacity enhancements in recent years.

Travel Advisory for Passengers

Aviation authorities recommend that travelers:

• Confirm flight status before leaving for the airport
• Allow additional buffer time for connections
• Monitor airline notifications closely
• Review flexible change or rebooking policies
• Consider travel insurance for interruption coverage

Passengers traveling in the coming days are encouraged to remain proactive as airlines reposition aircraft and stabilize scheduling flows.

A Personal Impact Beyond the Numbers

Behind the combined 140 disruptions are personal stories — families waiting at departure gates, children growing restless in terminals, and couples adjusting milestone celebrations.

Air travel remains one of the most complex logistical systems in the modern world, dependent on synchronized coordination across countries and time zones. When even one segment falters, the ripple travels quickly.

As operations gradually normalize, travelers across Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and Santiago hope for steadier departure boards and smoother journeys ahead. For a nation whose economy and global connection rely so heavily on aviation, restoring rhythm to its runways is more than operational recovery — it is a return to momentum.

The post Thousands of Travellers Stranded at Punta Cana, Las Américas, and Cibao International Airport in Dominican Republic as 45 Flights Are Delayed and 95 Cancelled Disrupting Aeromexico, Viva, Aerobus, Interjet and Major US and Caribbean Routes appeared first on Travel And Tour World.