El Siglo newspaper reports that RD$195 million (about US$12 million) have been invested in expansion and remodeling works at the Punta Cana International Airport along the East Coast. The airport was severely damaged by Hurricane Georges, but provided services a day after. The Punta Cana International Airport is privately-owned and operated by the Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este, a Grupo Punta Cana company. It began operations in 1984 handling 2,976 passengers. This year more than 650,000 passengers are expected to use the airport, up from 522,000 in 1998.
