If you’re thinking about traveling to the United States, you’ve probably noticed that airline ticket prices have gone up a lot in recent months. We know the most common culprits of this phenomenon are the increase in demand, the increase in fuel costs and the constant economic disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. But what you may not be aware of is a lack of competition.
Travel is more expensive because the Dominican Republic does not yet have a modern “Open Skies” aviation agreement with the United States. This means fewer options for travelers and limitations to competition between airlines that cost the user more each time they buy a plane ticket.
The United States wants to have an open air relationship with its partners and, as far as possible, establish pro-competitive agreements that allow air carriers to offer a variety of services tailored to the needs of their passengers without restrictions on the number of flights or destinations.
Under an Open Skies agreement, airlines can offer more affordable, convenient and efficient air services to consumers by minimizing limitations on airline decisions about routes, number of flights and airline partnerships. These modern aviation agreements favor consumer, expansion and competition and allow for a greater number of international passenger and cargo flights between our two countries.
With an Open Skies agreement with the United States, Dominican airlines would no longer have restrictions on where they can fly in the U.S. and Dominican travelers could enjoy new flight options, lower fares and better service among more airlines in the market.
This flexibility would allow airlines to better respond to the market and serve the destinations travelers demand. Dominican travelers could fly nonstop to more U.S. destinations beyond typical New York and Florida routes, including lesser-frequented U.S. cities that are also home to large Dominican communities. Similarly, American travelers could benefit from more nonstop options to the Dominican Republic. So, instead of worrying about long connections at other airports, they can spend more time with their families, enjoy the beauty of this country, and boost tourism revenue here in the Dominican Republic.
Since 1992, the United States has established Open Skies agreements with more than 130 allies, including small and large countries such as the Bahamas, Curacao, India, Japan, and Spain, to name a few. The Dominican Republic has also signed similar aviation agreements with Panama, Brazil and the Netherlands. These agreements bring myriad benefits: they stimulate of high-quality job creation and economic growth, as well as promote increased travel and trade.
According to a 2016 study by the Brookings Institution, Open Skies agreements have generated $4 billion in annual revenue for travelers and an average 15% decrease in fares. It is high time for Dominican people to enjoy the same benefits, which can be granted through a modern aviation agreement with the United States. The time has come for our countries to formalize this agreement.
After several years of stalemate, we may now have the chance to sign an Open Skies agreement. President Abinader has publicly announced his commitment to finalize the negotiations and has demonstrated his willingness to open up the aviation sector to competition, even despite the existence of certain interests. An innovative new national airline has announced plans to launch new low-cost service to a number of destinations in the United States, conditional to the signing of an Open Skies agreement between our two countries, a service the United States would consider a positive outcome of Open Skies.
On this 30th anniversary of the U.S. Open Skies policy, the United States stands ready to work with President Abinader’s administration to enter into a modern agreement with the Dominican Republic. This agreement will bring more flights with more options, to more cities, at cheaper prices. More affordable visits to friends and family, and a long-term growth of tourist options for those visiting this country – a win for all travelers.
Robert W. Thomas
Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic
Source:
Diario Libre
