Dominican Republic approves 800 new flights for Melissa-rerouted tourists

The Dominican Republic's Civil Aviation Board has authorized 800 new flights, comprising both regular and charter services, to manage an unexpected surge in tourist arrivals. This significant increase in air traffic capacity is a direct response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa across other Caribbean islands, particularly Jamaica, which has led to a rerouting of vacationers to the Dominican Republic. The move aims to capitalize on the upcoming peak tourism season, with industry officials projecting a substantial boost to the nation's vital tourism sector.

These additional flights are scheduled to operate over an eight-month period, strategically accommodating the displaced tourist demand. Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the Dominican Republic's Association of Hotels and Tourism, confirmed that the country's hotels possess the necessary capacity to absorb this influx, anticipating an average occupancy rate exceeding 95% for the holiday season. Héctor Porcella, president of the Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board, emphasized the direct benefit to the Dominican Republic from tourism originally destined for affected nations like Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Haiti.

Tourism is a cornerstone of the Dominican Republic's economy, generating nearly $11 billion last year. The country has already welcomed over 8 million visitors from January to October, with monthly arrivals rising to more than 672,000 in October from 575,600 in September. Officials expect these numbers to surge further in the coming months, reinforcing the economic importance of this rapid flight authorization. The proactive measure ensures the Dominican Republic can leverage its robust tourism infrastructure to support regional travel disruptions.

In stark contrast, Jamaica continues to grapple with the severe aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28. The storm has caused extensive damage, leading to numerous flight cancellations and the prolonged closure of several major hotels, with some not expected to reopen until mid- or late 2026. Despite these challenges, Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett anticipates approximately 60% of hotel rooms will be available by mid-December, and the island has seen some recovery through cruise ship visits, bringing tens of thousands of passengers. The differing recovery trajectories highlight the varied impacts of natural disasters on Caribbean aviation and tourism.