Air Caraïbes Launches Direct Samaná Flights, Ending European Service Gap

December 23, 2025 at 10:58 AM•3 min read

Air Caraïbes solved a connectivity problem by launching the only direct European service from Paris-Orly to Samaná (AZS), boosting Dominican Republic

Key Points

1Air Caraïbes launched the only direct European service to Samaná (AZS) on December 15, 2025.
2The route operates twice weekly (Mondays and Saturdays) using the Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
3The triangular route (Paris-Samana-Santo Domingo-Paris) enables multi-destination trips for tourists.
4The service is key to the Dominican Republic's goal of reaching 250,000 French visitors by 2026.

French West Indian airline Air Caraïbes has inaugurated a new seasonal, direct route. The service connects Paris-Orly (ORY) with Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS) in the Dominican Republic. This new operation began with its inaugural flight on December 15, 2025. Air Caraïbes is now the sole European carrier offering direct flights to Samaná.

This strategic seasonal Caribbean route aims to revitalize the French tourist market. French visitors have historically been crucial to Samaná’s development. The new service is a key part of the Dominican Republic’s plan to restore air connectivity with France.

Route and Fleet Details

The Paris Orly Samana service operates twice weekly. Flights are scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays throughout the winter season. The route is flown using the modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This wide-body aircraft offers improved fuel efficiency and passenger comfort for the long-haul journey.

The Triangular Route Paris

The new service utilizes a unique triangular route Paris structure. The outbound flight is direct from Paris-Orly to Samaná (AZS). The return leg operates via a short stop in Santo Domingo (SDQ) before continuing to Paris-Orly. This configuration allows travelers to combine two distinct Dominican Republic destinations. Passengers can easily explore the nature of Samaná and the colonial heritage of Santo Domingo.

Air Caraïbes already offers flights from Orly to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. The addition of Samaná makes it the only French carrier with such extensive coverage in the country.

Industry and Tourism Impact

This Air Caraibes direct flights launch is a significant boost for Dominican Republic tourism. The country is actively working to “reconquer” the French market. French visitor arrivals had dropped from an annual average of 225,000 to just over 144,000 this year.

The Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, David Collado, set a goal of welcoming 250,000 French visitors by 2026.
The route specifically targets popular areas like Las Terrenas, which has the highest concentration of hotel rooms in the Samaná peninsula.
The service fills a gap left after Air France suspended its direct flights to the country in 2023.

This expansion highlights the airline’s commitment to the Caribbean region. It also demonstrates the growing demand for diverse, multi-destination travel options. The use of the Airbus A350 service ensures a high-quality travel experience. This is a key factor in attracting premium European travelers. For more commercial aviation news on new routes and fleet deployments, visit flying.flights. The new Paris-Orly to AZS connection is expected to generate approximately $161 million annually from French tourists.