Canadian traffic is growing across two of the Dominican Republic’s northern tourism gateways, with AERODOM reporting a 13% increase at Puerto Plata and 62% at Samaná in 2026 compared with 2025. Winter 2026-27 capacity from Canada is set to rise by around 20% and 39% respectively, supported by additional routes and frequencies.
Canadian traffic grows at two northern gateways
Canadian traffic is strengthening at Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata and Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport in Samaná, reinforcing the role of Canada as a key international market for the Dominican Republic’s northern tourism destinations.
AERODOM, part of VINCI Airports, reports that Canadian traffic at Puerto Plata has increased by 13% in 2026 compared with 2025, while Samaná has recorded a significantly stronger 62% increase over the same comparison.
Puerto Plata remains the larger market in absolute terms. Air Transat has handled around 153,000 passengers on Canadian services at the airport, while WestJet has carried more than 113,000 passengers. Air Canada, meanwhile, has recorded traffic growth of approximately 22% compared with 2025.
At Samaná, volumes are smaller but the growth trajectory is steeper. Air Transat accounts for around 44,000 passengers, followed by WestJet with approximately 31,000 and Air Canada with close to 19,000. Air Canada’s traffic at Samaná is up around 17%.
Winter capacity rises faster at Samaná
The divergence between the two airports becomes even clearer in planned winter capacity.
For the 2026-27 winter season, AERODOM expects seat capacity from Canada to Puerto Plata to increase by around 20% compared with the previous winter.
At Samaná, Canadian capacity is expected to grow by approximately 39%.
The figures underline two different stages of market development. Puerto Plata already has a relatively mature Canadian traffic base and is now expanding its network of origin cities, while Samaná is experiencing much faster capacity growth from a smaller base.
“The growth we are seeing in Canada […] reflects the potential of this market,” said Cyril Girot, CEO of AERODOM.
Puerto Plata adds new Canadian origins
Puerto Plata’s winter expansion includes several new Canadian links, widening the airport’s catchment beyond its established markets.
Air Transat is scheduled to launch a weekly service between London, Ontario and Puerto Plata from December 15, 2026. WestJet will also add a weekly Winnipeg–Puerto Plata service from mid-December.
More recently, AERODOM confirmed additional services from Flair Airlines. The carrier plans to launch Montreal–Puerto Plata from December 18, operating twice weekly, followed by Toronto–Puerto Plata from December 19, with up to two weekly frequencies.
Together, the new services add four Canadian origin points to Puerto Plata’s winter network and support the airport’s planned increase in seasonal capacity.
The expansion also gives Puerto Plata a broader geographic presence in Canada, combining established demand from major cities with new services from secondary markets.
Samaná builds capacity on an established market
Samaná’s growth follows a different pattern.
AERODOM has not linked the airport’s planned 39% increase in Canadian seat capacity to the same level of route diversification seen at Puerto Plata. Instead, the growth is being built largely around established Canadian demand served by Air Transat, WestJet and Air Canada.
That distinction is important. Puerto Plata is expanding both capacity and the number of Canadian cities in its network, while Samaná is increasing volume more rapidly on an existing international market.
For Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport, the planned winter increase reinforces Canada’s role as one of the main external markets supporting tourism access to the Samaná Peninsula.
Canada strengthens northern Dominican connectivity
The 2026-27 winter schedule points to a broader strengthening of Canadian connectivity across the Dominican Republic’s northern airports.
For Gregorio Luperón International Airport, the emphasis is increasingly on network diversification and additional points of origin. At Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport, faster capacity growth highlights the potential for further development of an already established Canadian market.
Taken together, the two trends show how Canadian demand is supporting different stages of air connectivity development across Puerto Plata and Samaná as AERODOM prepares for a stronger winter season.
Sources: AERODOM
FAQ
How much has Canadian traffic grown at Puerto Plata in 2026?
AERODOM reports a 13% increase compared with 2025.
How fast is Canadian traffic growing at Samaná?
Canadian traffic at Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport is reported to be up 62% compared with 2025.
How much will Canadian winter capacity increase?
AERODOM expects capacity to rise by around 20% at Puerto Plata and 39% at Samaná for winter 2026-27.
Which new Canadian routes are planned for Puerto Plata?
New services include London, Ontario and Winnipeg, as well as Flair Airlines routes from Montreal and Toronto.
