Liat Air launches Antigua ↔ Santo Domingo route: what you need to know in 2025

Published on October 24, 2025 — By Billetaxo Team

The Caribbean regional airlineLiat Airconfirmed that as of December 12, 2025, the direct route betweenAncient(V.C. Bird Airport) andSaint Dominic(Dominican Republic). This announcement marks an important milestone in the connectivity of the insular Caribbean with the Dominican hub.

1. The advertised route and its key details

✈️ Old Route - Santo Domingo

Start of operations:December 12, 2025

Frequency:Once a week (Friday)

• 🛫 Departure from Antigua: 2:00 p.m.
• 🛬 Arrival in Santo Domingo: 4:00 p.m.
• 🛫 Return from Santo Domingo: 4:45 p.m.
• 🛬 Landing in Antigua: 6:45 p.m.

Launch fee:FromUS$348 per section

Assigned team:ATR 42-600 (~48 passenger regional aircraft)

🏝️ Dominica - Punta Cana Route

Furthermore, although without massive official announcement, it is observed in reservation systems that since theDecember 9another route will be launched:

Route:Dominica ↔ Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)

Frequency:Two weekly operations (Tuesdays and Saturdays)

Equipment:Embraer ERJ-145 (~50 passenger regional aircraft)

2. Strategic context: why now?

2.1 Caribbean connectivity

Liat Air, based in Antigua and Barbuda, is strengthening its mission to integrate the Caribbean islands through direct routes that facilitate both tourism and business.

"Entering the Dominican Republic is a natural extension of our mission to connect the Caribbean."—Liat Air

The Dominican Republic thus becomes aexternal nodefor routes from the eastern-northern Caribbean, which represents a strategic leap for the operator.

2.2 Tourism and the Dominican market

Saint Dominic

• Capital and commercial center
• Entry point for leisure and business travelers
• Historical heritage (Colonial Zone)
• Land connections to the entire island

Punta Cana

• High demand beach leisure segment
• All-inclusive resorts
• Consolidated tourist infrastructure
• PUJ international airport with large capacity

The rate ofUS$348It can be considered competitive for regional flights in the Caribbean, opening the door to an intermediate audience looking for getaways between islands.

2.3 Economic and tourist impact

For Antigua and Barbuda

✅ More tourists who can combine stays in Antigua with the Dominican Republic ✅ Strengthening the V.C. hub. Bird International Airport ✅ Greater visibility as a Caribbean connection destination

For Dominican Republic

✅ Greater influx from nearby island markets ✅ Diversification of visitor origins ✅ New segment: inter-Caribbean tourists

Trade and exchange

The airline points out that the routes also"will open doors for the movement of goods and services"between these markets, benefiting not only tourism but also regional trade.

3. Implications for the traveler

3.1 New travel options

✈️Direct connection:If you are in Antigua or nearby islands, you will now have a direct option to Santo Domingo without a stopover in the US.

🌴Combined trips:For those who visit the Dominican Republic (for business or pleasure), the possibility of combining a Caribbean island + continental destination in a single trip opens up.

🏖️Alternative routes:Dominica-Punta Cana allows connecting less common markets with mature beach destinations in the DR.

3.2 Rate, equipment and frequency considerations

Launch fee

• 💰US$348It is an introductory rate
• 📅 It is advisable to book in advance to ensure a seat
• 🔍 Compare with other options (stopovers in San Juan, Miami)

Limited frequency

• ⏰once a week(Friday) on Antigua-Santo Domingo route
• 📆 Careful planning needed
• ⚠️ If you miss the flight, wait 7 days until the next departure

Regional teams

• ✈️ ATR 42-600: ~48 passengers
• ✈️ EMB-ERJ-145: ~50 passengers
• 🎒 Less capacity = stricter baggage policies
• ⚡ Greater agility in airport operations

3.3 Practical recommendations

✅Check baggage policies- Regional airliners tend to have more restrictive limits ✅Read conditions of changes and cancellations- New routes may have special policies ✅Get to the airport early- Regional operations sometimes close check-in 60 min before ✅Consider travel insurance- Weekly frequency increases risk of losing connections

4. Impact for the Dominican tourism market

4.1 Diversification of issuing markets

Dominican Republic traditionally receives visitors from:

• 🇺🇸 United States (40% of tourism)
• 🇨🇦 Canada (15%)
• 🇪🇺 Europe (20%)

This new route opens the door toinsular Caribbean markets— less explored but with high potential:

• 🔁 High repetition rate
• 💵 Competitive average spending
• 🌊 Search for different experiences

4.2 Benefit for specific sectors

Quick getaway tourism

• Extended weekend from nearby islands
• Ease of trips of 3-4 days

Combined island-continental tourism

• Antigua (classic Caribbean beach) + Santo Domingo (culture and history)
• Dominica (nature and ecotourism) + Punta Cana (resort and beach)

travel agencies

• New multi-destination packages
• Differentiated offer for regional clients
• Commissions for sales of combined circuits

4.3 Effect on regional competition

This decision by Liat Air may encourage other regional airlines to:

• ✈️ Increase direct routes between Caribbean islands and the DR
• 💰 Press down rates (benefit for the traveler)
• 📈 Increase frequencies if demand responds positively
• 🔄 Create alliances and code-share with Dominican airlines

5. Challenges and recommendations for destinations

5.1 Identified challenges

❌Limited frequency:Once a week may not fully meet initial demand

❌Support infrastructure:

• Coordinated ground transportation
• Efficient customs for inter-Caribbean transit
• Joint marketing between tourist authorities

❌Communication:

• Insufficient promotion in target markets
• Lack of visibility in international OTAs
• Need for bilingual campaigns (Spanish/English)

5.2 Strategic recommendations

For tourist authorities

✅Joint campaigns "Conecta-Caribe"

• Ministry of Tourism DR + Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority
• Shared budget for regional advertising
• Presence at CATII fairs, Caribbean Travel Marketplace

✅Immigration facilities

• Pre-clearance for frequent flyers
• Fast-track at customs for inter-Caribbean routes
• Electronic visas or exemptions according to CARICOM agreements

For tour operators

✅Combined packages

• Example: 4 nights Antigua + 3 nights Santo Domingo
• Competitive total price vs. options with scales
• Include transfers, excursions, bilingual guides

✅Promotion towards the cruise market

• Cruise visitors in Antigua can extend their stay and fly to the DR
• "Post-cruise" packages with flight included

✅Targeted digital marketing

• Geo-located ads on eastern Caribbean islands
• Content in Spanish and English
• Caribbean influencers promoting combined circuits

6. Conclusion: a golden opportunity for the integrated Caribbean

The opening of the routeLiat AirbetweenAntigua and Santo Domingo(and the one planned betweenDominica and Punta Cana) is a clear sign that the Caribbean continues to evolve its regional connectivity.

For travelers

✈️ More direct flight options 🌴 Greater flexibility to combine destinations 💰 Competitive rates in regional segment 🗺️ Possibility of exploring new circuits island by island

For Dominican Republic

🏝️ Diversification of issuing markets 📈Tourist growth from the insular Caribbean 🤝 Strengthening regional integration 💼 New business opportunities

For the Caribbean

🌊 Greater integration between islands ✈️ Competition that benefits the traveler 🔗 Strengthening intra-regional tourism 📊 Development of multi-destination circuits

🔥 Are you getting on the flight?

As always inBilletaxo, we encourage you to:

• 🔍 Compare prices on multiple platforms
• 📅 Book in advance for better rates
• 🗺️ Design trips that combine destinations with purpose
• 💼 Consider travel insurance for new routes

This new Caribbean link is now ready. And you, are you getting on the flight?

🔍Sources

1. Travel and Tour World— "Antigua to Dominican Republic: LIAT Air Launches Non-Stop Flights to Santo Domingo" (Oct 16, 2025)
2. Jamaica Observer— "LIAT Air to expand its services to Dominican Republic" (Oct 17, 2025)
3. St Vincent Times— "Liat Air expands with new routes to Dom. Rep" (Oct 16, 2025)
4. Social networks Liat Air—Facebook/Instagram route launch posts
5. Wikipedia—Liat Air Profile

Interested in exploring more Caribbean routes? Discover ourflight guidesandhotels in Dominican Republic.