Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have agreed to commence direct flights between the two countries, thus taking a giant step in the area of air connectivity between the two Caribbean countries.

After a year of diplomatic efforts by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Kingston, the Dominican government managed to obtain official authorisation from the Jamaican government, giving the nod to Dominican airlines to operate direct commercial flights between the two territories.

This development is undoubtedly an important diplomatic achievement. 

Dominican Ambassador to Jamaica, Angie Martínez, expressed, with much enthusiasm, that “the authorization to carry out direct flights between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica represents a great diplomatic achievement for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is a source of great satisfaction for this Embassy. The same constitutes an important step for air connectivity between both countries, which will mark a vivid before and after in bilateral relations, strengthening political, commercial, investment, tourism and cultural exchange relations.”

Since 2021, one of the fundamental objectives of the Dominican Embassy in Jamaica has been to achieve greater connectivity between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, as such, a broad and intense work agenda was developed in Jamaica to achieve this.

The agenda included coordination with the ministries of foreign affairs, tourism, investment and commerce and transport, as well as the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, among others. 

The request was even raised by Ambassador Martínez to the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness.

The Dominican envoy admitted that the journey has been a very challenging one, to which she has dedicated much effort and energy since the beginning of her tenure.

“Having a direct flight that connects both countries is a necessity and a dream for all; one that will, very soon, bring to an end, having to take up to 20 hours to get from one country to another and pay exaggerated sums of money for plane fares. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic will finally be connected by a direct flight lasting only one hour, and at a very competitive price that will allow for a better and more effective promotion of tourism, and the possibility for nationals of both countries to take weekend trips between the two islands,” she noted.

The Dominican Embassy was notified of the favourable decision to grant the authorisation, via a formal communication from the Jamaican government.

Ambassador Martínez thanked the Jamaican authorities for all the support, and to many people behind the scenes, within the public and private sectors, who were undoubtedly promoters and facilitators in making this a reality.

In Martínez’s response letter to Nari Williams-Singh, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Jamaica, she states: “On behalf of the Government of the Dominican Republic, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dominican Civil Aviation Authority, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my most sincere gratitude to the Government of Jamaica, especially to the Ministry of Transport and Mining, and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, for the permission granted to Dominican airlines to fly between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, while the Air Services Agreement is signed.

I particularly wish to express my gratitude to you, Mr Williams-Singh, for your keen interest in seeing this through. This move will revolutionise the integration between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, and will be a significant turning point in the strengthening of ties of friendship and increasing the bilateral relations between both nations, especially in the area of ​​trade, investment and tourism.  I look forward to the signing of the Air Services Agreement, which will mark the consolidation of this momentous moment in our history.”