PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic has taken a major step toward strengthening its aviation industry with the certification of a new Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center in Punta Cana, a state-of-the-art facility developed by Grupo Puntacana in partnership with global aviation services provider FL Technics.
The official certification was presented by Igor Rodríguez, Director General of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), during a ceremony marking the launch of the country’s first heavy aircraft maintenance facility and one of the most advanced aviation infrastructure projects in the Caribbean.
The newly certified center is authorized to provide comprehensive maintenance services for aircraft in the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. In addition, the facility has the technical capabilities to service widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A330, A340, and Boeing 747 and 777 models.
Rodríguez described the certification as a milestone for the Dominican Republic’s aviation sector, noting that it significantly enhances the country’s technical capabilities and reinforces its position as an emerging hub for specialized aeronautical services in the region.
“This project represents a major advancement for the national aviation industry and strengthens the Dominican Republic’s competitiveness as a destination for high-value aviation services,” Rodríguez said.
Strategically located within the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ), the MRO center is expected to play a key role in attracting international airlines seeking maintenance services in the Caribbean and Latin America.
The facility features a main hangar spanning more than 13,300 square meters within a total development area exceeding 71,000 square meters. The structure, which rises nearly 23 meters in height, was designed to accommodate large-scale aircraft maintenance operations and future expansion.
During its initial phase, the center includes five maintenance bays capable of servicing multiple narrow-body aircraft simultaneously. Project developers have outlined plans to expand capacity to 12 maintenance positions as demand grows.
Industry leaders believe the project will generate significant economic benefits through the creation of highly skilled jobs, workforce development, and increased foreign investment in the aviation sector. The center is also expected to strengthen the country’s broader aeronautical ecosystem by supporting training programs and career opportunities for aviation technicians and entry-level mechanics.
The launch of the MRO facility reflects the Dominican Republic’s growing ambitions to diversify its economy beyond tourism and establish itself as a regional leader in aviation services, logistics, and technical operations.
With Punta Cana already serving as one of the Caribbean’s busiest air travel gateways, the addition of a world-class aircraft maintenance center further enhances the destination’s strategic importance within the regional aviation industry.
