Punta Cana International Airport closed 2025 with figures that redefine the standard for commercial aviation in the Dominican Republic and elevate its profile within the Caribbean and Latin America. In a context of strong tourist demand and capacity expansion, the terminal not only confirmed its role as the country’s main air gateway but also demonstrated an operational maturity uncommon in airports with a primarily tourist profile.
The central figure is decisive: over 11 million passengers handled in the year, a year-on-year growth of 9.9% compared to 2024. This is coupled with an even more pronounced increase in air operations, which grew by 15.6%, reaching 35,092 movements. The combination of both indicators reveals a more intensive use of infrastructure and greater international connectivity, two key variables for any strategic airport analysis.
December: Month That Put the System’s Capacity to the Test
The high season at year-end functioned as a true stress test for PUJ. During December 2025, the airport recorded 3,453 flights, a 12.8% increase compared to the same month in 2024, when 3,062 operations had been counted. The growth was not marginal or isolated: it was sustained throughout the entire month and reached its peak with three consecutive weekly records for commercial flights.
The figures speak for themselves. In successive weeks, the airport managed 812, 896, and finally 900 operations, an unprecedented milestone for the terminal. This performance reflects not only exceptional tourist demand but also an operational and logistical capacity capable of absorbing traffic peaks without degrading the passenger experience, a critical aspect for airlines and operators.
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In parallel, passenger flow showed significant acceleration. December closed with 1,087,621 travelers, compared to 975,450 in the same month of 2024, representing an 11.5% year-on-year increase. In practical terms, this means the airport was able to process over one million passengers in a single month while maintaining consistent efficiency levels.
Routes, Airlines, and the Tourist Hub Effect
The annual growth was not an isolated organic phenomenon. It was directly driven by the opening of new routes to strategic markets such as France, Mexico, the United States, Colombia, and the Eastern Caribbean, as well as by the expansion of international airlines that have reinforced their presence in Punta Cana.
This pattern consolidates the airport as a regional tourist hub, rather than just a simple point-to-point destination. For airlines, the appeal lies in sustained demand, predictable seasonality, and an infrastructure that has demonstrated its ability to scale operations without visible friction. For the country, the impact translates into greater connectivity, diversification of source markets, and a multiplier effect on the hotel and service sectors.
International Recognitions and Infrastructure Investment
The operational performance was accompanied by relevant external validations. In 2025, Punta Cana International Airport obtained the Airports Council International (ACI) Level 3 Customer Experience accreditation, as well as Skytrax’s 4-star certification, two seals that typically correlate with standardized processes, service consistency, and a passenger focus.
These recognitions are complemented by the VIP Lounge award from Priority Pass and the recertification in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, which reinforce the airport’s positioning in both quality management and environmental standards.
On the physical front, relevant improvements were completed, such as the expansion of Terminal B parking and the launch of the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, the first logistics park operating within an airport in the region. This latter point introduces an additional strategic variable: the integration of logistical and commercial activities directly into the airport ecosystem, something that could open new business lines in the medium term.
A Mature Platform, with Questions for the Future
The 2025 results confirm Punta Cana Airport as one of the busiest international airports in the Caribbean and Latin America, and as a key player within Dominican economic and tourism development. However, the very success raises questions that the sector will closely monitor: How far can operations scale without major new expansions? How will the mix of markets and airlines evolve?
For now, the close of 2025 sends a clear message to airlines, investors, and regulators: Punta Cana is no longer just a strong destination, but a mature air platform, with regional ambition and proven capacity to sustain growth.
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