The European Union recently frustrated the fusion of the two main ones airlines Europeans flying to the country, and in fact prevented damage to tourism and commercial relations between that continent, the Dominican Republic and the rest of the region.
To continue Iberia y Air Europa because independent companies ensure a certain level of competition, greater availability of seats and connections to and from Europe.
The country has already had the negative consequences when there is only one regular Spanish line operating in the country Iberiain a reorganization process, canceling its services between Madrid and Santo Domingo and vice versa.
Although Air Europasole owner of the link with Madrid, committed to the then president Danilo Medina to add to the frequencies and keep the ticket price unchanged, air market The breach of the promised word had an impact. Prices went up and frequencies remained relatively unchanged.
Other people Spanish lines at low cost (charters) being operated and still operating in the country. But his operations are point to point and do not allow connections over, opposite to Iberia y Water EEUROPE who have a wide network of services in Europe. The belonging of Iberia al International Airlines Groupof which he is also a part British Airwayswhich improves your ability to connections even outside Europe.
The merger of the two European airlines, one Spanish (Air Europa) and the other with transnational capital including Qatari funds, had failed due to antitrust claims of European Unionworried about the consequences on the European market.
The purchase was open from 2019, but was ruled out by the COVID-19 pandemic and the reluctance of the European Commission, concerned about the reduction of competition in the Spanish market. The purchase intention was resumed in February 2023, coming to an end at the beginning of the month due to the resignation of Iberia, which alleged that “the continuation of the operation would not be in the interest of the shareholders.”
- However, such a decision has an overall positive impact Latin America, place so much Iberia as Air Europe concentrate most of their operations.
In that donor casethe decision and thousands will not be negatively affected passengers that these two companies move every year, it will continue to reach the main cities of the national territory.
This is what Aguie Lendor, vice-president of the Hotel Association and Tourism the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), predicted that the decision of the European authorities will not affect the local air market, which he mentioned as “extremely important” for both airlines.
“We have seen, in recent years, in fact, an increase in frequency from Spain to the Dominican Republic,” indicated the lawyer, who accepted the position in Asonahores in 2023.
The new Air Europa route
The inauguration at Air Europe in June regarding a new route that will connect Santiago with Madrid twice a week, confirms the position of the Dominican hotel sector.
With the two flights per week, the Spanish airline founded in 1984 increases a frequency to 14 daily flights between Spain and Santo Domingo. Currently, it makes a daily trip to Santo Domingo and five flights a week to Punta Cana.
Air Europewho have come to the Dominican Republic since 1996, displaced 324,000 people in the country passengers from Europe last year, which represents a 12% increase over 2019. This year it is expected to offer more than 391,000 places.
“Spain is free from a monopoly” said the president of the Irish Language League Air Europa and Halcón Viajes, Juan José (Pepe) Hidalgo.
The Iberia increases frequency
The airline Iberiaone of the airlines under the administration of International Airlines Group (IAG), last June that he will be increasing his frequency to the Dominican Republic to eight weekly flights in November and 10 in December, which promises to continue to increase in the winter season in Europe.
In a statement, he said he started the year with nine frequencies weekly in January and 10 in February to the Dominican Republic, as one of the Latin American countries that received the largest increases in capacity.
The airline has been operating in the Dominican Republic since 1967, with a break of almost two years that started in April 2013 and lasted until November 2014. The decision was announced in 2012 as part of a rescue policy and consisted of several ways to consider unprofitable.
This event coincides with the internal changes it has undergone Iberia in 2011, when it was absorbed by International Airlines Groupproduct of the fusion con British Airways.
The lack Iberia At that time it was covered by Air Europewho agreed at that time with President Danilo Medina to add to the frequency two weekly flights to connect between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana with Madrid.
The airline is focused on continuing to increase its share in the Latin American market, where this year it plans to register a new record, more than 5.3 million seats and operating more than 320 flights per week.
Agreements between the DR and these airlines
Both Iberia as Air Europa They have signed agreements with the Abinader administration authorities to promote the Dominican Republic abroad.
Within the scope of the Feature 2022, Iberia and the Dominican Republic renewed an agreement to promote the country and improve connectivity with the destinations served by the Spanish flag airline in Europe.
In addition, Air Europa an agreement was signed in 2022 in which the airline committed to promotion tourist offer of the Dominican Republic in the 20 countries and 68 cities in Europe included in its network for a period of 12 months.
At the end of the Feature this year, the holder of the TourismDavid Collado, that 16 agreements were signed, three of them with airlinesamong them stand out Iberia y Air Europewhich he calls “traditional allies.”
When browsing a website at Air Europe You can see how the company includes a guide for tourists about the places to visit, the gastronomy of the routes it covers in the country and travel tips. Also, a description of the climate and suggestions for getting around the area. This can be read in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, and the information is not in the section Santiagoa destination that opened a few months ago.
The information site of the worldwide Dominican community.