CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and ultra low-cost Dominican airline Arajet today announced new direct service from O’Hare International Airport to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic, making the carrier the 47th airline to serve O’Hare.

"On behalf of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, I am proud to welcome Arajet’s new service to Punta Cana at O’Hare International Airport," said CDA Acting Commissioner Tracey Payne. "This new route strengthens Chicago’s global connections and offers travelers an escape to warm weather just ahead of the winter season. It also provides Chicagoans of Dominican descent with a convenient option to visit loved ones back home aboard their nation’s flag carrier."

The thrice-weekly service starts on Nov. 15 and marks Arajet’s first route in the Midwest and its fifth in the United States after launching its first U.S. ticket sales in February 2025. The Chicago service joins Arajet’s other American routes to Boston, Miami, New York and San Juan, all operated with the carrier’s fleet of new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

“Flying to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the most important airports in the world, represents an exciting new chapter for Arajet as we increase our presence to a total of five key U.S. cities. This expansion opens the skies to Punta Cana by connecting U.S. travelers directly to one of the most desirable vacation spots in the Caribbean,” said Victor Pacheco, CEO and founder of Arajet. “Our continued growth enables greater connectivity for both tourists and the Dominican diaspora while supporting tourism and economic opportunity across the region.”

A top Dominican destination known globally for its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and year-round sunshine, Punta Cana also serves as a strategic link in Arajet’s broader network to seamlessly connect travelers to Arajet’s thirteen onward destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Punta Cana service will efficiently connect Chicago and the Midwest to multiple major South American destinations including Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador; and São Paulo, Brazil. Punta Cana is the second-largest Caribbean market from Chicago behind San Juan, which will also be connected to Chicago thanks to the new route.

American Airlines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines also serve Punta Cana nonstop from O’Hare, while Southwest provides direct flights to Punta Cana from Chicago Midway International Airport.