Barahona’s first charter aircraft carrying tourists for the area’s hotels is expected to arrive on 31 July. The Transmeridian Airline jet, with passengers flying from New York to Barahona, has a capacity for 174 passengers, and will land every Wednesday at the brand new María Montez International Airport. The government invested RD$700 million in the new airport, and more than RD$300 million has been invested in the many panoramic highways in the area. The Hotel Riviera has announced it will be expanding the number of its rooms to meet the demand that will be[ created by the new regular flight. The aircraft will fly on to Puerto Plata and then return to New York.