Punta Cana will host ICAN 2025, the top global aviation negotiation event, bringing 193 countries together to expand air service agreements.
Dominican Republic Becomes the Global Aviation Hub in 2025
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — This November, the country will take center stage in international aviation when Punta Cana hosts ICAN 2025 (International Civil Aviation Negotiation Event), the world’s most important platform for global air services agreements.
The high-level event is organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and hosted locally by the Civil Aviation Board (JAC). It will gather delegates from 193 ICAO member states, marking a milestone moment for Dominican aviation and tourism.
Abinader Highlights Global Confidence
During his weekly press briefing La Semanal, President Luis Abinader announced that the Dominican Republic had been chosen as host for ICAN 2025. Alongside him, Héctor Porcella, President of the JAC, confirmed expectations of securing at least 20 new bilateral agreements during the event.
Porcella emphasized that this opportunity reflects the trust placed in the Dominican Republic by the international community, driven by the country’s ambitious progress in both civil aviation and tourism.
ICAN’s Regional Importance
ICAN rotates annually between continents, and 2025 is the year for the Americas. Thanks to its remarkable expansion in connectivity, the Dominican Republic was selected to host, reaffirming its leadership in the regional aviation industry.
Unprecedented Growth in Air Connectivity
In the past five years under Abinader’s administration, the Dominican Republic has signed 50 of its 73 active bilateral air service agreements, including those with the United States, Canada, Spain, Argentina, Greece, and Singapore.
Currently, the country ranks as the second most connected nation in Latin America, linking to 414 destinations in 75 countries.
Other milestones achieved:
- Routes increased from 878 in 2020 to 1,096 in 2025.
- Active airlines expanded to 365 worldwide carriers.
- Dominican operators grew from 6 in 2020 to 13 in 2025, with seat capacity rising from 695 to 3,232.
Aviation: A Key Pillar of the Dominican Economy
By the close of 2025, the Dominican Republic is projected to surpass 20 million air passengers, a 30% increase compared to 2019, cementing civil aviation as a strategic driver of national economic growth.
Looking ahead, the country’s hosting of ICAN 2025 is expected to attract fresh investment, foster new airline partnerships, and boost the tourism sector, solidifying Punta Cana as a regional hub for air connectivity well into 2028 and beyond.
