Punta Cana’s International Airport Set to Expand

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, is introducing an expansion project which includes additional technology and enhanced facilities for visitors. With this expansion, tourism officials anticipate the creation of hundreds of new jobs in Punta Cana.

The inauguration of the expansion of Punta Cana International Airport took place on Jan. 20 with President Leonel Fernandez Reyna in attendance along with Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia; Nicanor Pena, Bishop of La Altagracia; Minister of Public Works Victor Diaz Rua; and members of the board of directors of Grupo Puntacana.

A new check-in terminal with 40 stations and a new baggage belt system opens this month, with additional changes scheduled to be introduced throughout this year and next, including a new, larger runway; expansion of the existing taxiways; and construction of a new taxiway and control tower.

Additionally, Punta Cana International is the first airport in the Dominican Republic to implement the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Common Use Self Support (CUSS) Kiosk system, which includes new e-ticketing machines, baggage drop areas and 2D barcoding for boarding passes and baggage tags.

Passengers traveling on commercial flights are able to print their tickets online or at airport kiosks, drop their bags at the bag drop area and proceed directly to the gate, thus reducing their flight check-in time and improving their experience by allowing them more time in the duty-free, food court and lounge areas. In cooperation with the Agriculture Department of the United States, a new inspection station has also been installed, with a modern X-ray machine, to facilitate the pre-inspection of baggage.