For the first time, Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) has received this distinction at the World Airport Awards.
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) has been recognized as the “Best Airport in Central America and the Caribbean” at the 2026 World Airport Awards, organized by Skytrax, one of the most prestigious accolades in the global airport industry.
The announcement was made during the awards ceremony held on March 18 in London, as part of Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE) World, where the world’s highest-rated airports—based on passenger feedback—are honored.
This marks the first time that PUJ has received this distinction at the World Airport Awards. In addition, based on the results of the global survey, the airport has entered the list of the Top 100 Best Airports in the World for the first time.
Recent enhancements to Terminal B, aimed at expanding operational capacity and elevating passenger comfort, have played a key role in strengthening the travel experience and consolidating the airport’s positioning as one of the leading international hubs in the Caribbean.
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, stated: “This award for Punta Cana International Airport highlights the growing recognition from passengers for its improved facilities. Continued investment is enhancing its appeal to travelers and reinforcing its role as one of the most important international hubs in the Caribbean.”
This recognition reaffirms Punta Cana International Airport’s commitment to service excellence, innovation, and the continuous enhancement of the passenger experience, further strengthening its leadership in the region.
About the World Airport Awards
Established in 1999, the World Airport Awards are a global benchmark of quality in the airport industry, based on the largest annual customer satisfaction survey in the sector.
In the 2026 edition, passengers from more than 100 nationalities participated, evaluating the airport experience across over 565 airports worldwide.
The survey assesses all passenger touchpoints throughout the airport journey, including check-in, security, immigration, retail areas, services, and the boarding gate experience.
About Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
Opened in 1983, Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the world’s first privately owned international commercial airport and the busiest and most connected airport in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. It connects 81 international airports across 26 countries and handles approximately eight million passengers annually.
The airport features two runways, 41 boarding gates, 45 aircraft parking positions, and four VIP lounges. It also operates its own Recycling and Incineration Center, managing approximately 60% of the waste generated by its operations.
PUJ has been recognized for eight consecutive years (2015–2023) as the “Best Airport by Size and Region” in the 5 to 15 million passenger category in the Caribbean and Latin America by Airports Council International (ACI). It also holds Level 3 certification in ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation program, as well as a 4-Star rating from Skytrax, which evaluates airports worldwide based on service quality, operational efficiency, and passenger experience.
Additionally, the airport has achieved Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation and has been awarded twice with the “Best Hygiene Measures by Region” certification by Airports Council International (ACI), reaffirming its commitment to operational excellence, health and safety standards, and an outstanding passenger experience.
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