The DR has started to be considered for fly-ins after the Airport Department and Institute of Civil Aviation convinced President Leonel Fernandez to pass Decree 169-08 that exempts pilots of small airplanes (up to 30,000 lbs and max of 12 passengers) from paying airport charges. At the same time, the government also allowed for minimum red tape so that after landing at one airport, pilots can continue on to other airports and airfields in the DR, truly making for a wonderful multi-destination visit in the country.
A first fly-in from Puerto Rico on 18 small planes landed at the Punta Cana International Airport last weekend, bringing 54 fun-loving passengers for a weekend in Punta Cana. Manolo Borrero, of the Aeroclub de Puerto Rico, led this first excursion.
Frank Rainieri, president of the Grupo Punta Cana that owns the airport, Andres Vanderhorst of the Airport Department and Deputy Minister of Tourism Luis Simo were there to receive the first pilots and friends.
A second larger one is forthcoming for 9-15 October 2008. This Caribbean Fly-In covers Bahamas, the DR and Turks & Caicos. It begins with a stopover in Long Island, Bahamas on 9 October. It continues on 10 October with the DR leg of the fly-in with planes arriving to Santiago’s Cibao International Airport for city sightseeing (which could feature Centro Leon and a visit to a cigar factory) and overnight at Hotel Camp David Resort. Next day, the fly-in group lands at the Constanza airfield in the mountains. The group will stay at Hotel Mi Cabana. In contrast, the trip ends with time at the Punta Cana beach, with two nights at the Punta Cana Resort. The group then leaves for Providenciales, Turks & Caicos on the 14th, prior to returning to Fort Lauderdale on the 15th.
To sign up, go to http://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com/