Arajet 3
Arajet continues its accelerated push into the North American market, with company CEO Víctor Pacheco revealing plans for a new route to Los Angeles (LAX). This move marks the Dominican low-cost carrier’s first destination on the U.S. West Coast, deepening its network and solidifying its strategy to connect the Americas through its Caribbean hub.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the airline also detailed a new service between Punta Cana (PUJ) and Córdoba (COR). Pacheco stated that the Los Angeles route would be formally announced shortly, representing a key strategic advancement for the airline.
This expansion into Los Angeles is a calculated step in Arajet’s ambitious U.S. growth plan. The airline has rapidly established its presence, currently operating flights from its main hub in Santo Domingo (SDQ) to Miami (MIA), San Juan (SJU) in Puerto Rico, and, as of last week, Newark (EWR), serving the New York metropolitan area.
The carrier’s U.S. network will grow further in the coming months with planned launches to Orlando (MCO) on October 26, Chicago (ORD) on November 15, and Boston (BOS) on November 20. These routes are designed to capture both leisure travel and serve the large Dominican diaspora residing in these regions.
The addition of Los Angeles is particularly important. The city serves as a primary gateway between the U.S. West Coast and Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also home to a substantial and growing Latino and Dominican population, providing a ready market for both tourism and family travel. According to a 2022 Census report highlighted by Spectrum News, the Dominican community in Los Angeles County is expanding, creating new demand for direct and affordable connections.
Arajet’s entire growth strategy is underpinned by the U.S.-Dominican Republic Open Skies Agreement, which came into effect in late 2024. As noted in multiple reports, this bilateral treaty removes prior restrictions on flight frequencies and routes, giving airlines like Arajet the flexibility to launch new services based on market demand. The airline has already leveraged this agreement by filing for a total of 17 potential destinations in the United States, including future considerations for cities like Washington Dulles (IAD) and Baltimore (BWI), although no official dates are confirmed for these.
The airline’s business model relies on a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This allows Arajet to operate as a low-cost carrier with a continental reach, offering competitive fares to connect a wide network spanning from Canada to Argentina through its hub in the Dominican Republic.
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