The Airport Agency launches CONNECT New World: new regional event for the Americas and Caribbean

The Airport Agency, founder of the CONNECT Forum, has announced the launch of CONNECT New World, a new regional event dedicated to the Americas and the Caribbean. The event will take place from 30 May to 1 June 2023.

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic and AERODOM-VINCI Airports, operators of Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), the event will take place in Santo Domingo, ‘La Capital’, a vibrant city and a stunning location at the crossroad of North and South America.

“I am delighted to welcome you all to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for the launch of CONNECT New World,” says Karin Butot, CEO and founder, The Airport Agency. “Aviation has faced tremendous challenges in the past two years, and looking forward, there are going to be challenges to meet new environmental and long-term sustainability. Our key mission is to improve and develop air services to the region, CONNECT New World will also be the place where leaders and innovators discuss and explore solutions to these new challenges.”

Santo Domingo has a population of nearly three million and is the oldest city of the ‘New World’. Its Colonial City was listed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. In May 2022, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recognised the Dominican for achieving the most successful recovery of the industry in the world, reaching record numbers in tourist arrivals.

“With the Caribbean’s most advanced transportation system, the largest offer of beachfront and city rooms and venues, a rich landscape begging for outdoor activities, an electric cultural scene, and a climate as warm as its people, the Dominican Republic is the ideal working playground,” says David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. “Being the best-connected Caribbean destination with eight international airports at key points around the country receiving hundreds of flights originating worldwide, we are delighted to serve as host country for CONNECT New World, a platform for senior decision-makers to meet and discuss the region’s air services. I invite you to join senior industry professionals from airlines, airports and destinations, and come to discover all that the Dominican Republic has to offer: from beaches and modern cities to mountains and colonial towns.”

Mónika Infante Henríquez, CEO of AERODOM, adds: “For AERODOM and VINCI Airports it is a pleasure to co-host CONNECT New World in Santo Domingo. We will be excited to receive executives from airlines, airports, tour operators and tourism authorities to explore new air routes, as well as to develop the existing ones.”

Arajet is Official Carrier

Arajet will be the Official Carrier of CONNECT New World. Arajet is the first ULCC in the Caribbean and is based in Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas (SQD) in Santo Domingo. Arajet operates a fleet of five brand-new 737-8 MAX aircraft and has commitments for 46 aircraft.

“The support of Arajet as the Official Carrier is crucial to the event’s attractivity and Santo Domingo’s connectivity with neighborhood countries,” says Butot. “Arajet is the perfect fit for this inaugural event, having Dominican roots, but with an international reach and vision.”

The first commercial flights were launched in September 2022 from Santo-Domingo to 13 destinations in nine countries, including Mexico City, Curaçao, San Salvador and Quito.

“We believe in the ULCC model because it allows more people to fly, expanding the market for everyone, and because it has proven profitable and resilient,” comments Victor Pacheco, CEO Arajet. “The aviation sector is important far beyond tourism, it has a multiplier effect for economic development broadly.”