In the context of the CONNECT New World International Forum, the official launch of Arajet‘s flights between Santo Domingo/Las Americas (SDQ), Dominican Republic, and São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU), Brazil was announced. The flights will begin on September 21 with three weekly operations.
The ultra-low-cost carrier embarked on its South American expansion in December 2022, when it requested permission to fly to Brazil from the Dominican aviation authority. In April 2023, the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) of the Dominican Republic announced that Arajet had been granted authorization to fly to three Brazilian cities. Upcoming destinations in South America include Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Paraguay.
Arajet’s Flight Schedule to São Paulo
Beginning on September 21, Arajet will operate the following flights:
- Flight DM 269 Santo Domingo-São Paulo: SDQ 19:20 – 03:35 (+1) GRU / Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
- Flight DM 270 São Paulo-Santo Domingo: GRU 05:40 – 11:50 / Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
These flights will be serviced by Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a capacity for 185 passengers, providing 1,110 seats per week. Arajet will be the sole operator connecting the Dominican capital with São Paulo. GOL remains the only operator between the Dominican Republic and Brazil, offering two weekly flights from Punta Cana (PUJ) to São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU).
Arajet’s Interest in South America
Arajet continues to gain permissions as it maps out its short-term expansion plan. Over the past weeks, Arajet’s CEO, Victor Pacheco, has repeatedly expressed his intention to expand into the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. While Arajet awaits the Open Skies Agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States to fly to the North American country, it has shown a keen interest in expanding in South America.
Recently, the low-cost carrier introduced 42 round-trip connections, operating twice a week from and to 9 of the 17 countries in its route network. “What we promised has now become a reality: Arajet offers connections and brings 9 countries of our 11 destination network closer with low fares so that more people can fly for the first time, visit friends and family, or tour our region,” stated Victor Pacheco, CEO and founder of Arajet.
As of April 5, customers have been able to purchase tickets to travel on the 300,000 new seats added to the airline’s offering until March 30, 2024. The available final destinations include:
- Aruba, Cartagena, Curaçao, Kingston, and St. Marteen to Cancún, Guatemala, Mexico City, and San Salvador.
- Medellín to Mexico City.
- Cancún, Guatemala, and San Salvador to Aruba, Cartagena, Curaçao, Kingston, and St. Marteen
- Mexico City to Aruba, Cartagena, Curaçao, Kingston, Medellín, and St. Marteen
The company expects to include Peru, Ecuador, and the remaining Colombian destinations by mid-year. Arajet plans to end 2023 with twice its current fleet, which consists of five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, each with a capacity for 185 passengers. However, it has an order for 35 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, the high-density version of the MAX that can accommodate up to 210 passengers.
