New low-cost carrier Arajet takes off with 737 MAX fleet
Arajet Airlines, the Dominican Republic’s new low-fare airline, has officially launched commercial operations with its first scheduled passenger flight between Santo Domingo (SDQ) and San Salvador (ZSA) in El Salvador on September 19, 2022.
The low-cost carrier’s network will consist of 22 routes across 12 countries, including the Dominican Republic, the United States, Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, St. Maarten, Curaçao, Mexico and Panama as well as Aruba, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Peru, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, El Salvador, and Jamaica.
Destinations will be launched gradually over the upcoming months, the airline said.
During September, Arajet will start flying to Saint Maarten (SXM), Lima (LAP), Mexico City (MEX), Monterrey (MTY), Cancun (CUN) and Guatemala City (GUA). The rest of the routes will be added in October 2022.
What will Arajet’s fleet look like?
Arajet’s initial fleet will consist of eight leased Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The newcomer estimates that ultra-quiet and fuel-efficient CFM LEAP-1B engines will reduce noise pollution and allow the airline to save on operational costs that support low fares on its flight tickets.
Having already received five of eight direct leases of 737 MAX planes, Arajet also has 20 more MAXs on order. The airline said it will continue to invest in fleet expansion with 15 additional options to be delivered over the next five years.
“Our mission is to build services for our guests by utilizing state-of-the art aircraft fleet with the latest technology, to strengthen and facilitate the country’s connection to the world, while promoting domestic tourism internationally,” Arajet chief executive Victor Pacheco Mendez said.
The CEO concluded: “We have prepared for years to efficiently and conveniently connect the Dominican Republic with key international markets. We are assuming the responsibility of the rebirth of the Dominican aviation as the new national carrier with an experienced international team that will ensure our operations meet the highest safety standards.”
With the main goal to fly roughly seven million passengers during the next five years, Arajet also aims to generate around 4,000 direct and up to 40,000 indirect jobs across the region.