Arajet launches low-cost flights between Toronto & Santo Domingo

A low-cost airline based in the Dominican Republic has finalized a new route connecting Toronto (YYZ) and Santo Domingo (SDQ) – and tickets are on sale now.

Arajet has launched its new route with a sale (on until July 12) where passengers can purchase tickets for $179 USD each way (taxes and fees included).

“Our new flight from Pearson International to Las Américas International in Santo Domingo will allow our Dominican diaspora to come home with the best possible fares but will also enable more Canadians traveling for tourism or business, to visit our island and continue increasing the exchange between our two countries,” said Víctor Pacheco Méndez, CEO and founder of Arajet, in a press release on Monday (July 10).

“The Arajet effect will continue benefiting passengers across the Americas, and our Canadians friends won’t be the exception.”

The new Toronto-Santo Domingo route offers four weekly frequencies on Tuesdays Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and will also soon connect Toronto with other destinations in South, Central America and the Caribbean.

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean's oldest cities. Its cobblestoned historic core, the Zona Colonial, has historic buildings that date back to the 1500s, including the cathedral. 

“Open skies” takes flight

The new link comes less than six months after the governments of Canada and the Dominican Republic signed an “open skies” agreement to remove restrictions for airlines from the two countries.

The bilateral air transport deal, which was originally described as “historic,” aims to ease the rules on frequency and routes in which carriers are operating.

READ MORE: Canada and the D.R. sign open skies agreement to boost connectivity

The agreement was signed on Feb. 2 of this year, and since then, airlines in both countries have been allowed to operate direct flights between any airport in the D.R. and Canada.

Arajet’s new Toronto-Santo Domingo route is the latest option to enter the market as a result. 

The carrier, which first started operations in September of 2022, is aspiring to turn Santo Domingo into a low-price hub with continental reach.

Arajet also offers direct flights from Santo Domingo to Mexico City, Cancun, San José, Guatemala, San Salvador, Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, Quito, Guayaquil, Lima, Sao Paulo, Aruba, Curaçao, Saint Martin, Kingston and 44 connections with the low fares.

The airline uses new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that reportedly save 14 per cent more fuel than single-aisle aircraft available in the regional market, and reduces the cost by 40 per cent. 

Flights on the new Toronto-Santo Domingo (SDQ) route are available on promotion only at www.arajet.com, the airline says. 

PAX has reached out to Arajet to see if it has plans to work with the travel trade.

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