A new concept in serving the Caribbean and South America has evolved from the Dominican Republic. Despite the crowded airline landscape, businessman Victor Pacheco saw an opportunity to take advantage of Santo Domingo’s geographic location and launch a Caribbean based low-cost carrier.
Arajet is currently flying from Toronto and Montreal to SDQ, with connections to 18 destinations across the Americas as of December.
Open Jaw’s Natasha McKenty flew on one of Arajet’s new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from Toronto to Santo Domingo on Friday 17NOV.
McKenty notes the in-flight experience exceeded ULCC expectations. Upon boarding, a welcoming Dominican crew set a friendly tone. Seats were comfortable with a 30 inch pitch in a 3-3 configuration.
The excitement of a recently launched carrier was palpable. The new plane smell, the smiles and bienvenidas from the crew as the Boeing took off on-time heading for warmer climes.
Victor Pacheco, Founder and CEO of Arajet, said the airline aims to establish Santo Domingo “as an exciting new Hub on the continent for Canadians, connecting them to more than ten countries in the Americas, such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Curacao, Aruba, and Colombia, with a low-fare airline that does not compromise on customer service and experience."
Cash only in-flight menu options for purchase include entrees, combos, traditional airline snacks, as well as Dominican beer, wine and cocktails.
In a previous interview with Open Jaw’s president, Nina Slawek, Pacheco identified Arajet as a "low-price airline" rather than a traditional ULCC. He emphasized their genuine concern for passengers' in-flight experiences and highlighted Arajet's strategic focus on building a hub, intending to offer over 150 connections throughout North, Central, and South America. Arajet aims to fly more than seven million passengers through its Santo Domingo hub in the next five years.
“The difference is that a low-price airline, like Arajet, truly cares about the service that the passengers will experience on the plane. That Caribbean warmth that we’ll take into the cabin [ensuring] that it’s not the typical low-cost experience where they don’t really care about how [the passenger feels] or the service. But we do,” said Pacheco, “we care about that, we deeply do.
“Most of the ULCCs are point-to-point driven, [but] we’re building a hub,” he added, elaborating that Arajet plans to offer over 150 connections throughout North, Central, and South America. Arajet expects to fly more than seven million passengers through its Santo Domingo hub in the next five years.
Arajet’s route network encompasses 22 destinations across 16 countries. Travellers departing from Toronto with Arajet can reach DR beaches within a short distance from the airport. Locations like Boca Chica and Juan Dolio are a mere 20-minute journey, while Bayahibe is easily accessible in 45 minutes.
Additionally, Arajet extends its services from Santo Domingo to the resorts and beaches of Punta Cana, which can be reached in less than two hours with no additional fees.
Upon arriving at Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), McKenty was welcomed by Arajet representative Mariet Espinal and escorted to the Sheraton Santo Domingo, a refurbished 5-star hotel in the Dominican capital.
Santo Domingo
In addition to experiencing the airline, the trip focused on experiencing the Dominican Republic beyond the traditional resorts, particularly the historic city of Santo Domingo.
Known as the “Colonial City” and a designated world heritage site, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of historic monuments, colourful colonial streets, and a vibrant nightlife.
“Santo Domingo is full of history. The first church of the new world is here. The cathedral was the first church in the Americas. It’s valuable for people to know that. Sure, Punta Cana is beautiful, but we have more history, real [authenctic Dominican] food, and culture,” Sheraton manager Yandra De Los Santos said.
Dominican Ministry of Tourism rep Prudencia Ferdinand told Open Jaw that in Santo Domingo, you have options “from a small boutique hotel in the heart of the downtown area to the Sheraton, Renaissance, and Crown Plaza brand hotels. [With cruise ports just minutes away], you can do a round-trip of the country. You can combine and connect from Santo Domingo to different touristy destinations in the country.”
According to the Greater Toronto Airport Association, in 2019, over 750,000 passengers travelled between Toronto and the Dominican Republic. According to Ferdinand, this year alone, over 800,000 Canadians have visited the DR, prompting Arajet's ambitious standing order for up to 45 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft to meet the growing demand.
Open Jaw will continue reporting on location in the DR until 23NOV.
