Alex Santana, director of Aerodom, expressed his concern that at the same time that the government was privatizing the Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo main airports, and Arroyo Barril (Samana) and Maria Montez (Barahona), it had the opening of new airports in plans. Santana said that the Aerodom feasibility studies did not take into consideration competition from new airports that are now under construction, one of which is being built by the government. These airports are Higuero, that is slated to replace the Herrera airport that primarily handles domestic traffic. Another is the Licey Airport, an hour’s drive away from the Puerto Plata airport. The other is the La Romana airport and the Portillo airport in Las Terrenas, Samana. The La Romana, Licey and Portillo airport construction or expansions were authorized after the tender took place. (15 June 2000)
