The small airport on the west end of Santo Domingo, Herrera International will continue in operation for some more time. The director of the Departamento Aeroportuario, Carlos Alvarez told El Siglo newspaper, that the authorities are still undecided regarding the closing of the airport. The past government invested about RD$500 million to build the La Isabela Airport in northern Santo Domingo, to replace Herrera. That airport went up, though, with the opposition of most of the users of the Herrera terminal. The reasoning was that the airport was smack in the middle of Santo Domingo and the property on which it is built today has great commercial value. Minister of Public Works Miguel Vargas says he is studying options for private sector to invest the funds needed to finish the La Isabela terminal. Air Santo Domingo flies to Puerto Rico out of Herrera International and operates its domestic flights from there, too. (14 September 2000)
