Chicago City Wire

Arajet, the Dominican Republic’s national airline, has launched its first route in the U.S. Midwest, establishing direct service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Punta Cana International Airport. This new route marks Arajet’s fifth destination in the United States as the airline continues to expand its presence.

“Flying to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the most important airports in the world, represents an exciting new chapter for Arajet as we continue expanding across the United States,” said Manuel Luna, Chief Communications Officer of Arajet. “This milestone opens the skies for travelers from the Midwest to experience Punta Cana’s beauty and connect with the rest of the region, while also giving the Dominican community in Chicago a direct and affordable means to travel home.”

O’Hare is among the world’s busiest airports, serving over 80 million passengers annually. The new service operates three times weekly—on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays—providing Midwestern travelers with direct access to Punta Cana. The launch comes ahead of peak winter travel when demand for Caribbean destinations typically rises. Passengers can also connect via Punta Cana to nine other cities in Latin America.

“We are proud to welcome Arajet’s new service to Punta Cana at O’Hare International Airport,” said Commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), which manages both O’Hare and Midway International Airports. “This new route strengthens Chicago’s global connectivity and offers travelers an escape to warm weather just ahead of the winter season, as well as providing Chicagoans of Dominican and Latin descent with a convenient option to visit loved ones back home aboard their nation’s flag carrier.”

Arajet reports record demand for its services following recent additions of routes to Miami, Orlando, and New York. According to data from the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), Arajet became the third-largest airline by passenger volume in the Dominican Republic between July and September 2025. During that period, it carried more than 354,000 passengers—representing about 7.3% of all air traffic into and out of the country—and facilitated travel for over 50,000 connecting passengers.

The airline plans further expansion with a Boston route launching on November 21, 2025.

Arajet began operations in 2022 and uses a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from its bases at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana International Airport.

The Chicago Department of Aviation oversees O’Hare and Midway airports, which together offer flights to more than 260 nonstop destinations—including 76 international routes—and serve over 100 million passengers each year.