‍CHICAGO — Dominican Republic flag carrier Arajet (DM) has inaugurated flights between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), marking the airline’s first entry into the U.S. Midwest and its fifth U.S. destination.

The new service operates three times weekly—on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays—providing direct access to one of the Caribbean’s busiest leisure gateways just ahead of the winter travel season. From Punta Cana, passengers will also be able to connect to nine cities across Latin America, including Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile, Lima, and Mexico City, leveraging Arajet’s growing connecting hub.

Strengthening Midwest–Caribbean Connectivity

Chicago O’Hare, one of the world’s busiest airports with more than 80 million annual passengers, now gains a new link to the Dominican Republic and the broader Caribbean region.

Manuel Luna, Arajet’s Chief Communications Officer, called the launch a pivotal step in the airline’s U.S. growth strategy: “Flying to Chicago O’Hare represents an exciting new chapter for Arajet as we continue expanding across the United States. This milestone opens the skies for Midwestern travelers to experience Punta Cana’s beauty and connect with the region, while giving Chicago’s Dominican community an affordable and direct way to travel home.”

City officials welcomed the new link. Michael McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), said: “This route strengthens Chicago’s global connectivity and offers travelers an escape to warm weather ahead of winter, while giving Chicagoans of Dominican and Latin descent a convenient option to visit loved ones aboard their national flag carrier.”

Arajet Continues Rapid U.S. Expansion

Arajet has been expanding aggressively across the United States. After launching service to Miami, Orlando, and New York, the carrier became the third-largest airline by passenger volume in the Dominican Republic between July and September 2025—behind JetBlue and American, and ahead of Delta, United, and Copa—according to the Civil Aviation Board (JAC). During that period, Arajet carried more than 354,000 passengers, including over 50,000 connecting travelers, representing 7.3% of national air traffic.

The Chicago–Punta Cana launch precedes another new route from Boston, scheduled to begin November 21, 2025, marking Arajet’s sixth U.S. route this year.

The airline operates a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and maintains two bases: Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo and PUJ.