Destination Dominican Republic: A US-DR Open Skies Agreement to strengthen cultural ties and economies 

For most U.S. travelers who fly overseas, their travels are made possible by what is known as the Open Skies Agreement. This is an international agreement between the U.S. State Department and foreign countries that allows for more frequent and cheaper commercial flights. Flights between the United States and other partner countries. These agreements are essential for family reunions, access to greater opportunities abroad, closing important business deals, or simply allowing adventure-seekers to realize their dreams.

Although the United States is the latest signatory, open skies agreement Although it has more than 100 foreign partners, the Dominican Republic is not among them, leaving the fourth largest Hispanic group in the United States. 2.4 million Dominican Americans living in the United States — Fewer flight options and higher prices when booking flights to and from the DR

It’s 2024 and this outdated and limited form of travel needs to change.

Fortunately, we are currently at a critical juncture where both countries are negotiating to conclude such an agreement. Doing so is critical for both U.S. and Dominican travelers to enjoy new flight options, lower fares, and better service among more airlines on the market.

The essence of open skies agreements is to emphasize safety, travel, and consumerism.

Like clockwork, an Open Skies Agreement increases the supply of safe flights to and from foreign countries, lowers airfares, and makes international travel more accessible to the average person living in the United States. in fact, According to a 2015 study Since taking effect in 1992, modern U.S. Open Skies agreements with foreign countries have generated $4 billion a year in benefits for travelers and facilitated agreements with the United States, according to the Brookings Institution. 127 other partner countriesAs a result, airfares to and from island countries such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada have become significantly cheaper.

However, despite close cultural and diplomatic ties, for the past 30 years, these benefits have not been available to U.S. travelers to and from the Dominican Republic, based solely on the 1949 U.S.-Dominican Republic Air Transportation Agreement. It has been operated. As a result, American vacationers and Dominican-Americans who want to visit this beautiful island nation still have limited options for round-trip flights to a limited number of cities and are often forced to deal with exorbitant prices. has been done.

Negotiations for an open skies agreement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been stalled for years. The main reasons for this are issues unrelated to consumer safety, such as the hold-up caused by a baggage handling monopoly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a general lack of prioritization by the previous presidential governments in both countries. Fortunately, this all changed in 2022. Thanks to the efforts of his US-friendly DR president, Luis Abinader, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the US and DR have resumed negotiations to conclude the US-North Korea Open Skies Agreement. As negotiations between the two countries continue until 2024, it is imperative that both countries act urgently to facilitate increased travel and trade, improve productivity, and foster quality employment opportunities and economic growth. be.

As a representative of New York's 13th District, which includes Washington Heights, El Barrio, Inwood, and the Northwest Bronx, my district has the largest population of Dominican Americans of any place in the country, as well as diaspora populations of Puerto Ricans and Latinos. Quite a lot. Over the past few years, I have lost count of the number of my constituents who have expressed disappointment with the limited air routes and exorbitant travel costs to the DR. For them, the current situation has disrupted any plans to visit family and loved ones on their home islands.

To make matters worse, these high fees prove especially difficult for Dominican families during peak travel seasons such as summer and winter holidays, which are the only times when families with school-age children can travel. Did. In fact, for most of 2023, a quick Google search for round-trip flights from New York's JFK International Airport to the Dominican Republic during the December 2023 holiday season, no matter how long ago, shows that per person. They often cost $1,000 to $2,000 or more. Families with multiple children are no longer able to travel to see relatives as travelers try to book.

But now, as 2024 begins, the U.S. State Department and the Dominican government have an opportunity to change that once and for all, extending a much-needed economic lifeline to working-class families in my district and across the country. If the U.S. and DR's latest open skies agreement were signed today, both U.S. and Dominican travelers would enjoy better service and lower fares on more airlines in the market. Additionally, lower fares to the DR could also reduce the price of flights to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, potentially allowing more airlines to fly to and from the region. Once completed, the agreement will also boost economic growth for airlines that still need post-COVID-19 benefits, while providing benefits to airlines, hotels, restaurants, and local service workers in both the U.S. and the DR. Additional revenue will be brought in. Perhaps most importantly, this agreement will send a signal to the 2.4 million Dominican Americans that they are valued.

As we enter the new year, I will continue to voice strong voter support for a modern open skies agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic. Dominican working-class families across the country have long wanted more affordable airfare options, and now it's time for us to make it happen.

Adriano Espaira represents New York's 13th district.