C
ChicacagoChris
Guest
Is that new airport in Samana now up and running? If so, does anybody know what airlines fly there from the US?
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Samana Airport
J
jerry
Guest
If you goto the Samana.net site and click on what's new link there is a small article, with picture, on the airport. There is also a forum to post your question.
Jerry
Jerry
A
Andy
Guest
Although the official word was that the airport was supposed to be open this December for the winter season, we just heard yesterday that December, '01 is the new completion date.
This is the third or fourth time the date has been pushed back in the past 2 years and I suspect that there is still a lot of opposition among the big money in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana to opening it. They'll fight it to the bitter end.
This continued opposition is an indicator of the impending explosion in tourism that the Samana Peninsula is expected to experience. Point blank: they're afraid of us and with good reason; Samana is the prettiest part of the DR and not at all over-used and exploited like most of the major, tourist areas.
At present, Air Santo Domingo and private charters serve the airport and at only 4,000 feet, it will need at least that much more for the big, overseas jets to land. That is what is taking so much time, lengthening and widening the brand, new strip. Its become a real joke around here.
This is the third or fourth time the date has been pushed back in the past 2 years and I suspect that there is still a lot of opposition among the big money in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana to opening it. They'll fight it to the bitter end.
This continued opposition is an indicator of the impending explosion in tourism that the Samana Peninsula is expected to experience. Point blank: they're afraid of us and with good reason; Samana is the prettiest part of the DR and not at all over-used and exploited like most of the major, tourist areas.
At present, Air Santo Domingo and private charters serve the airport and at only 4,000 feet, it will need at least that much more for the big, overseas jets to land. That is what is taking so much time, lengthening and widening the brand, new strip. Its become a real joke around here.
C
ChicacagoChris
Guest
Thanks guys and especially thank you Andy. I'm happy to hear that those shacks got knocked down. It doesn't surprise me that completion of the airport got put back until '01. Corruption on top of corruption. I'm still waiting for a few projects between POP and Santiago to get done. Given the political climate I'm afraid that the country will be taking a few economic steps back in the next few years. By the way, whose family is into cattle ranching down there?
A
Andre
Guest
Hello everybody,
I?ll be again in your wonderfull resort from October 23th to November
6th.
Is it possible to you to make a direct contact to the airline , who
flys from Puerto
Plata to Las Terenas ? It would be so nice for me.....
Thank you very much
Send your E-Mail to: funmaker@nikocity.de
or send a Fax to Germany 030 / 752 00 49
I?ll be again in your wonderfull resort from October 23th to November
6th.
Is it possible to you to make a direct contact to the airline , who
flys from Puerto
Plata to Las Terenas ? It would be so nice for me.....
Thank you very much
Send your E-Mail to: funmaker@nikocity.de
or send a Fax to Germany 030 / 752 00 49
D
DR1
Guest
Samana (less than 2,000 hotel rooms) is not a threat to either Puerto Plata (16,000 hotel rooms) or Punta Cana (17,000 hotel rooms). Our sources indicate the reasons for the delay in the airport picking up traffic are others.
We are told that to expand the airport to receive large jets will probably cost as much as to build a new airport. The field on which the Arroyo Barril airport was built, were not the best location.
Making things worse, we are told that the Samana family that owns the land on which the airport was built is threatening to take legal actions against Aerodom, the operators, if they are not properly compensated by the government. Thus the new operators are very reticent to make any major investments in the airport.
Finally, we checked this week with Ellis Perez, spokesman for the airport, and he says the airport operator, Aerodom has not yet advanced in their efforts to get American Eagle to fly to Samana this winter. American Eagle may first fly into Barahona's Maria Montez International Airport.
On the other hand, several studies show that Samana is not ecologically suited to handle large resorts that require jet operations as many other areas of the country are. The many small hotels are what is best for this delicate area.
What would be best for Samana would be to get American Eagle and that is still possible. This could get closer to happening if area hoteliers joined forces to show the key people at American Eagle that the flight would operate profitably.
We are told that to expand the airport to receive large jets will probably cost as much as to build a new airport. The field on which the Arroyo Barril airport was built, were not the best location.
Making things worse, we are told that the Samana family that owns the land on which the airport was built is threatening to take legal actions against Aerodom, the operators, if they are not properly compensated by the government. Thus the new operators are very reticent to make any major investments in the airport.
Finally, we checked this week with Ellis Perez, spokesman for the airport, and he says the airport operator, Aerodom has not yet advanced in their efforts to get American Eagle to fly to Samana this winter. American Eagle may first fly into Barahona's Maria Montez International Airport.
On the other hand, several studies show that Samana is not ecologically suited to handle large resorts that require jet operations as many other areas of the country are. The many small hotels are what is best for this delicate area.
What would be best for Samana would be to get American Eagle and that is still possible. This could get closer to happening if area hoteliers joined forces to show the key people at American Eagle that the flight would operate profitably.
A
Andy
Guest
Thanks for the latest "official" line regarding progress of Samana's unfinished airport. However, in the past it has been reported on DR1 news of the efforts of the Senator from Puerto Plata to stop the development of the Samana Airport. She has fought very effectively in protecting her Puerto Plata constituancy from future competition. You also reported the efforts of the big hotels, read "big investors with political connections", in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata supporting a VERY RESTRICTIVE ecological law designed to make it very difficult to further develop the peninsula; a law that even CEBSE says goes too far in restricting development. Big business will pull every string they can to eliminate percieved competition from Samana, about the only unspoiled part of the DR left today and the country's next major tourist destination. Further restricting development under the guise that large hotels and resorts are not ecologically feasible is hogwash. Responsible development and ecology can easily go hand in hand. It just takes a developer who respects the land as much as he respects his pocketbook. Samana can not and MUST not continue to be restricted in it's economic development. For too many years, Samana has been ignored despite official proclamations of all the wonderful things they are going to do for us. And even now, the harbor project is all but stopped in mid-stream. Downtown Samana is a mess.
Yes we only have 2,000 rooms. But that's not the reason for delaying the airport. Who in their right mind would construct large hotels or resorts when there is no way, read that "international airport", to adequately feed the hotels without having to bus people in for at least 3 more uncomfortable hours of traveling? An international airport is key to development of the peninsula.
Changing the airport's location has also been bantered about for some time. Business interests in Nagua want it relocated near them, also common knowledge. El Portillo wants it for self-serving reasons, also common knowledge. Despite political pressure, common sense indicates a central location equally serving the ENTIRE peninsula such as where it is now.
Legally condeming the existing land, dealing with the property owners, filling in the ravine and extending the strip will be a lot less costly than constructing a new airport, despite the "official" line you've been told. Two different sources told me several weeks ago that this is now in progress. Their sources were Aerodom and the other an official government source in Santo Domingo. Of course, they both could be lying to cover further shenanagins and under-the-table misdeeds.
As far as American Eagle is concerned, we were told almost 2 years ago (before Aerodom entered the picture)that AE would be offering a Miami-Samana-San Juan and return route. As soon as the strip is long enough, you'll see more carriers than just them jumping on board unless a sweetheart deal is negotiated between American Airlines and the government.
The next time you come to Samana, I would like to extend an invitation to accompany me as we make the rounds and talk to local people regarding what is really happening in and to Samana: talk to the people who's lives are being seriously affected by the games going on. Find out what their sources are saying. The real truth of the matter lies somewhere in between street talk and the official government proclamations.
Let's work together for the betterment of Samana.
Yes we only have 2,000 rooms. But that's not the reason for delaying the airport. Who in their right mind would construct large hotels or resorts when there is no way, read that "international airport", to adequately feed the hotels without having to bus people in for at least 3 more uncomfortable hours of traveling? An international airport is key to development of the peninsula.
Changing the airport's location has also been bantered about for some time. Business interests in Nagua want it relocated near them, also common knowledge. El Portillo wants it for self-serving reasons, also common knowledge. Despite political pressure, common sense indicates a central location equally serving the ENTIRE peninsula such as where it is now.
Legally condeming the existing land, dealing with the property owners, filling in the ravine and extending the strip will be a lot less costly than constructing a new airport, despite the "official" line you've been told. Two different sources told me several weeks ago that this is now in progress. Their sources were Aerodom and the other an official government source in Santo Domingo. Of course, they both could be lying to cover further shenanagins and under-the-table misdeeds.
As far as American Eagle is concerned, we were told almost 2 years ago (before Aerodom entered the picture)that AE would be offering a Miami-Samana-San Juan and return route. As soon as the strip is long enough, you'll see more carriers than just them jumping on board unless a sweetheart deal is negotiated between American Airlines and the government.
The next time you come to Samana, I would like to extend an invitation to accompany me as we make the rounds and talk to local people regarding what is really happening in and to Samana: talk to the people who's lives are being seriously affected by the games going on. Find out what their sources are saying. The real truth of the matter lies somewhere in between street talk and the official government proclamations.
Let's work together for the betterment of Samana.
R
Roberto
Guest
Re: Samana Airport-To Andy/DR1,ETC.
Andy/DR1
I Strongly believe that in most of you comments you are in some how right
but Remember I AM sure that you have being in this country in the past 10/15 years and you remember how was this wonderful country was with the nature/people etc.
could you please compair it with today culturally/Ecologicly/academicly and tell me if we had made some progress?
I will not make A comment this Time I will ask you to please honestly answer
an then after we will talk about the progress that most of you are clamming for Samana
have you compair the quantities of bar/Disco/prostitions places that we have with the school/church/cultural ONG yet?
had you compair the behave of the Dominicans from today with the one from yesterday before having those mass Tourism?
how does ours streets look likes todays? beside the high way Santiago/Santo Domingo,
I believe that before claim for Progress we need first to Reeducate build more school get on practice the school programs that we have that have being only A theory
coming back to the values that had made us A paradise for every one
and not A paradise for those over 66% type/S..O...0 that come to Sosua
-ore are some of you enjoying the fact that we have negative reality to talk about ?
why start building many hotel's+airport with out A efective ecological protections programs ?why don't build just A few rooms for people who have respect for the nature ? and then wen every one knows samana as A place that they have to respect then open the doors for more
ore are some of you part of the Foreigners that wan to press the juice until there are no more juice left and then move to A others country ?
and be the first to start talking about how but it is?
I am almost sure that MR.J-----would now make me remember that this is a service place so every body with out exception should be allow to come by
well it seems like it is not like this in many others country if you dont believe me then ask the european/australian/american/canadian consul comunities
any way I know I said I will no make comments this time so to keep my word I better stop
but I have to add that until now the real benefit from the concept of tourims had gone over 89% to the Traditional rich local people and to the foreigners it is not fair and it is not necesary every where like that
so people who wan to help the Dominican Republic and the future of they own kids that would be staying with them need to promot/request the educations for the local people like that you would not have to stay only with you clas/all incusive resorts feeling safe like some of you say I wonder what is safe any ay? but could share many things with the real people and who knows you may even learn somethings after all
the values of life/friensdchip because we have more brain then many of you may think we have in the end we know who are ours friends
and they are certainly not the one whos giving candys/Rhum in exchange of they own personal funn,instand of helping us be better people/nation by making us free educating us..
please read carefully I am not accusing any individual person in fact I am not acusing any one at all I am just asking
enjoy you week end
PEACE
Roberto
Andy/DR1
I Strongly believe that in most of you comments you are in some how right
but Remember I AM sure that you have being in this country in the past 10/15 years and you remember how was this wonderful country was with the nature/people etc.
could you please compair it with today culturally/Ecologicly/academicly and tell me if we had made some progress?
I will not make A comment this Time I will ask you to please honestly answer
an then after we will talk about the progress that most of you are clamming for Samana
have you compair the quantities of bar/Disco/prostitions places that we have with the school/church/cultural ONG yet?
had you compair the behave of the Dominicans from today with the one from yesterday before having those mass Tourism?
how does ours streets look likes todays? beside the high way Santiago/Santo Domingo,
I believe that before claim for Progress we need first to Reeducate build more school get on practice the school programs that we have that have being only A theory
coming back to the values that had made us A paradise for every one
and not A paradise for those over 66% type/S..O...0 that come to Sosua
-ore are some of you enjoying the fact that we have negative reality to talk about ?
why start building many hotel's+airport with out A efective ecological protections programs ?why don't build just A few rooms for people who have respect for the nature ? and then wen every one knows samana as A place that they have to respect then open the doors for more
ore are some of you part of the Foreigners that wan to press the juice until there are no more juice left and then move to A others country ?
and be the first to start talking about how but it is?
I am almost sure that MR.J-----would now make me remember that this is a service place so every body with out exception should be allow to come by
well it seems like it is not like this in many others country if you dont believe me then ask the european/australian/american/canadian consul comunities
any way I know I said I will no make comments this time so to keep my word I better stop
but I have to add that until now the real benefit from the concept of tourims had gone over 89% to the Traditional rich local people and to the foreigners it is not fair and it is not necesary every where like that
so people who wan to help the Dominican Republic and the future of they own kids that would be staying with them need to promot/request the educations for the local people like that you would not have to stay only with you clas/all incusive resorts feeling safe like some of you say I wonder what is safe any ay? but could share many things with the real people and who knows you may even learn somethings after all
the values of life/friensdchip because we have more brain then many of you may think we have in the end we know who are ours friends
and they are certainly not the one whos giving candys/Rhum in exchange of they own personal funn,instand of helping us be better people/nation by making us free educating us..
please read carefully I am not accusing any individual person in fact I am not acusing any one at all I am just asking
enjoy you week end
PEACE
Roberto
A
Andy
Guest
Re: Samana Airport-To Andy/DR1,ETC.
Roberto,
If you will re-read my last post you will notice that I said that when a developer respects the land, progress and sound ecological practices can go hand in hand and protect the land as well as use it for economic gain. I'm not defending those that only use and abuse, big developers or small. I see a lot of small businesses that are by far, the worse offenders.
My friend, if you had to deal with uneducated, ignorant people as I do on a daily basis, you would really understand the significance of your statement regarding freeing a people and developing their potential through education. That will be the salvation of the DR, educating its people. Understand that we didn't have a school in Las Galeras until 6 years ago. As a result, those of us that have to rely on a staff to help operate our businesses find that in order to get 1 good employee we go through 20 or more. Along with an education, a work ethic must also be instilled in this segment of the population. I suspect that centuries of poverty have drained away a lot of the spirit. And living in poverty has somehow made it OK to lie, steal and cheat your way to financial success. As I said, I and many other foreign employers deal with it every day. We wish we didn't have to do this, believe me.
And speaking of foreign investors, although there are those who use and abuse, there are more that actually care about what happens here. After all we live here, too.
I also agree that there are a lot of undesirable foreigners living here. However, the DR has no one to blame but themselves for having lax immigration laws and throwing open the doors to every criminal in the world who wants to escape punishment and find asylum in a country where anything goes as long as the criminal has money to buy his freedom.
To continue to deny Samana it's rightful destiny to grow and prosper is to continue to condemn a population of about 80,000 people to continue to live in poverty and near starvation. The very tourism industry that you are decrying is the only thing that Samana has going for it. Tourism is the economic engine that drives this province and anybody or anything that attempts to restrict it is an enemy of the people of Samana, no matter how they attempt to disguise it.
You ask if today is better than yesterday. I think that if you talk to the people here, you will hear a resounding yes. Has the quality of life decreased with progress? I would answer yes if all I took into consideration was prostitution and increased crime. However, when I consider the basics such as food, clothing, shelter, schools, hospitals, electricity, running water, paved roads and all those other things that make life easier, I would say that progress has been beneficial to the people of the peninsula (and many other parts of the country, as well). Progress and growth can and must be controlled if the quality of life is to be maintained. A good dose of common sense usually assists this.
Finally, let me assure you that I am for the same good things that you espouse. And as long as responsible growth and development and good, sound ecological practices are followed, our beautiful Samana will prosper and still be the paradise that it is for our children, and their's, too.
Roberto,
If you will re-read my last post you will notice that I said that when a developer respects the land, progress and sound ecological practices can go hand in hand and protect the land as well as use it for economic gain. I'm not defending those that only use and abuse, big developers or small. I see a lot of small businesses that are by far, the worse offenders.
My friend, if you had to deal with uneducated, ignorant people as I do on a daily basis, you would really understand the significance of your statement regarding freeing a people and developing their potential through education. That will be the salvation of the DR, educating its people. Understand that we didn't have a school in Las Galeras until 6 years ago. As a result, those of us that have to rely on a staff to help operate our businesses find that in order to get 1 good employee we go through 20 or more. Along with an education, a work ethic must also be instilled in this segment of the population. I suspect that centuries of poverty have drained away a lot of the spirit. And living in poverty has somehow made it OK to lie, steal and cheat your way to financial success. As I said, I and many other foreign employers deal with it every day. We wish we didn't have to do this, believe me.
And speaking of foreign investors, although there are those who use and abuse, there are more that actually care about what happens here. After all we live here, too.
I also agree that there are a lot of undesirable foreigners living here. However, the DR has no one to blame but themselves for having lax immigration laws and throwing open the doors to every criminal in the world who wants to escape punishment and find asylum in a country where anything goes as long as the criminal has money to buy his freedom.
To continue to deny Samana it's rightful destiny to grow and prosper is to continue to condemn a population of about 80,000 people to continue to live in poverty and near starvation. The very tourism industry that you are decrying is the only thing that Samana has going for it. Tourism is the economic engine that drives this province and anybody or anything that attempts to restrict it is an enemy of the people of Samana, no matter how they attempt to disguise it.
You ask if today is better than yesterday. I think that if you talk to the people here, you will hear a resounding yes. Has the quality of life decreased with progress? I would answer yes if all I took into consideration was prostitution and increased crime. However, when I consider the basics such as food, clothing, shelter, schools, hospitals, electricity, running water, paved roads and all those other things that make life easier, I would say that progress has been beneficial to the people of the peninsula (and many other parts of the country, as well). Progress and growth can and must be controlled if the quality of life is to be maintained. A good dose of common sense usually assists this.
Finally, let me assure you that I am for the same good things that you espouse. And as long as responsible growth and development and good, sound ecological practices are followed, our beautiful Samana will prosper and still be the paradise that it is for our children, and their's, too.