The Dominican Republic has consolidated its position as one of Latin America and the Caribbean’s largest international aviation markets, with 8.9 million international origin-destination (O-D) passenger departures in 2023. According to IATA’s latest country report, the market ranks 43rd globally by international passenger departures after recording 62.7% cumulative growth over the past decade.
Behind those headline figures lies a highly concentrated traffic profile. International demand is overwhelmingly oriented towards North America, while regional Latin American and European markets play important, but significantly smaller, roles.
North America accounts for two-thirds of international demand
The Dominican Republic’s outbound international air market is dominated by North America.
Of the 8.9 million international O-D passenger departures recorded in 2023, approximately 5.9 million passengers travelled to destinations in North America, representing 66% of total international traffic.
Latin America—including Central America, South America and the Caribbean—accounted for 1.9 million passengers, or 21% of departures, while Europe represented 1.1 million passengers, equivalent to 12%. Traffic to Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East remained below one percent each.
The distribution illustrates the Dominican Republic’s strong integration with North American air markets while maintaining substantial regional connectivity across Latin America and long-haul links with Europe.
New York stands in a league of its own
Among individual destinations, New York occupies a unique position.
The city attracted 1.87 million departing passengers, accounting for 21% of all international O-D departures from the Dominican Republic in 2023.
No other destination comes close.
Toronto ranked second with 500,000 passengers, followed by Miami (430,000), Montreal (370,000) and Boston (310,000). Madrid was the leading European destination with 270,000 passengers, while San Juan, Fort Lauderdale, Bogotá and Orlando completed the top ten.
The ranking highlights the predominance of North American cities within the Dominican Republic’s international aviation network. Five of the ten busiest destinations are located in the United States, two in Canada, one in Europe, one in South America and one elsewhere in the Caribbean.
A market with both regional and global significance
Although the Dominican Republic represents 0.6% of global international passenger traffic, its importance within Latin America and the Caribbean is considerably greater.
IATA estimates that the country accounts for 10.1% of regional international O-D passenger departures, underscoring its position as one of the Caribbean’s largest international aviation markets.
Combined with more than 60% cumulative growth over the last decade, these figures point to a market that has expanded well beyond its traditional tourism role and now occupies a significant position within the wider regional aviation landscape.
A network shaped by direct international demand
Another feature of the Dominican Republic’s aviation profile is the overwhelming international orientation of its passenger traffic.
According to IATA, nearly 100% of origin-destination passenger departures in 2023 were international, with domestic traffic representing only a marginal share. Rather than relying on a large domestic network, the country’s aviation system is primarily built around direct international connectivity linking the Dominican Republic to its principal overseas markets.
The data also reveal a market whose geographic concentration remains clear. North America continues to dominate passenger flows, while Latin America provides an important secondary market and Europe maintains a stable long-haul presence. Together, these traffic patterns offer a snapshot of an aviation network shaped by strong international demand and deep external connectivity rather than broad domestic operations.
Source: IATA, The Value of Air Transport to the Dominican Republic. Traffic indicators refer to 2023 and are based on origin-destination (O-D) passenger data.
