Dominican Wings changes its business model to become the first ULCC of Dominican Republic

The Dominican Wings airline has announced a significant change to its business model, going from non-scheduled or charter operations, to an ultra-low-cost regular airline, and becoming the first Dominican airline to operate as such.

On Monday, Representatives from the national airline Dominican Wings met with the President of the Board of Civil Aviation (JAC), Luis Ernesto Camilo, to explain all the details of the change.

During the meeting, the CEO of Dominican Wings, Víctor José Pacheco Méndez introduced his new expert partner and investor, Michael Powell, who has assumed the presidency of the Board of Directors of the airline.

Powell told the President of the JAC that "the Dominican Republic is the perfect place to start an ultra-low-cost airline", given the quality of the country's airport infrastructure and its high safety and operational standards.

The airline will have an investment of $60 million, and will operate with a fleet composed of Airbus A-320 aircraft.

Gonzalo Ramos Garzón, Airbus Sales Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, was present at the meeting.

On behalf of the JAC, in addition to its president, the General Director of CESAC, General Aracenis Castillo de la Cruz and the Secretary of the Board, Pablo Lister, also attended.

The "ultra-low-cost" business model operates under very specific parameters, with a high use of equipment, modern single-type aircraft, more seats and sales of food and beverages, among other features that allow lower costs that are reflected in the ticket prices.

With the implementation and development of this business model, the national airline Dominican Wings, intends to expand its horizons, allowing passengers to travel at a lower price to more destinations, whilst delivering 135 administrative jobs, the hiring of 250 pilots and 500 cabin crew, in addition to hundreds of indirect jobs.

For his part, the President of the JAC, described this decision as "pleasant news", acknowledging at the same time the high business criteria involved in the change of business model. He reiterated to the new investors and officials of the airline the government’s vision of being a facilitating State and, in the case of the Dominican commercial air sector, to manage a scheme of open skies and open doors.

Michael Powell, Expert Partner

The new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dominican Wings and expert partner, is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of FlyBondi, the first "low-cost" airline in Argentina, where he invested 75 million dollars in 2017, operating to date on more than 85 routes. Previously, he was the CFO of Wizz Air.