These Dominican Republic Airports Meet Security Standards, According To The TSA

Last Updated 7 months ago

The Dominican Republic is one of the safest Caribbean destinations for travel, and several of its largest airports have just been certified by the TSA after meeting strict safety requirements.

A security check being done at a Dominican Airport

The United States Transportation Security Administration regularly inspects airports in a range of countries that Americans love to frequent, including the Dominican Republic.

Here’s what the latest safety inspection means for travelers:

Aircraft parked outside of Punta Cana airport terminal

Dominican Republic Airports Meet Stringent Safety Standards For Travelers

Most American travelers that visit the Dominican Republic do so through one of the country’s many large international airports, including Punta Cana International Airport.

As part of its International collaboration, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) conducts periodic checks of the main airports across North America.

The TSA recently verified safety standards across three Dominican Republic airports as part of a routine practice to ensure that they are safe for American travelers.

All of the participating airports were found to be in compliance with the TSA’s rigorous regulations, ranging from pre-departure safety checks to anti-drug trafficking procedures.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

An x-ray machine in a Dominican Republic airport

The capital’s Las Américas International Airport, as well as Samaná and La Romana’s international airports, took part in the inspection, all of which rank as some of the busiest hubs for aerial travel in the Dominican Republic.

A number of U.S.-based airlines – including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and others – maintain an extensive network of flights to and from those airports, transporting hundreds and thousands of American travelers.

According to the TSA, Dominican Republic airports meet all the requirements of Annex 17 concerning aviation security, as well as the PNSAC and other relevant safety standards.

The comprehensive analysis took place from April 10 to 24 and was conducted by a team of high-ranking U.S. officials, who drafted and published a report on the matter, which was handed to Dominican authorities for review.

An airplane parked in Punta Cana International airport

Meanwhile, Dominican Republic officials have expressed their satisfaction with the report, highlighting their continued efforts to improve safety for travelers visiting the sun-soaked nation.

According to Floreal Suárez Martínez, head of the country’s airport safety authority, the Dominican Republic has invested heavily in acquiring new high-tech safety equipment – such as state-of-the-art X-ray machines – as well as improving procedures.

The Dominican Republic is a major target for illegal drug trade, and criminals often attempt to use the country’s airports to carry large quantities of drugs to countries in North and South America.

Haiti, a country that shares a 200-mile-long border with the Dominican Republic, is also a major source of illegal goods which are smuggled across the border.

Drug seizure in a Dominican Republic airport

Some travelers may be surprised to find that Punta Cana International Airport wasn’t included in the TSA’s safety checks; however, the airport is subject to scrutiny by a range of domestic and international stakeholders and is widely regarded as one of the best airports in Latin America.

The airport is currently undergoing a massive renovation which is expected to wrap up this May with the unveiling of the renewed terminals.

Safety has been a major concern in the Dominican Republic over the past several weeks due to the shocking murder of a 9-year-old U.S. traveler.

The incident, which occurred in broad daylight near Cibao International Airport, prompted the U.S. and Canada to issue new travel advice for travelers headed to the Dominican Republic.

Tourism police on the street with travelers

Although the tropical country remains a safe destination overall, travelers are advised to take precautions while out and about and to maintain a high degree of situational awareness.

Destinations like Punta Cana, Samaná, and Puerto Plata are some of the safest in the country, thanks to the higher presence of law enforcement.