Canadian Travelers Are Redrawing the Dominican Republic’s Air Map
New routes from Winnipeg, Montreal and London are opening the country beyond Punta Cana — and giving Canadians more ways to reach the Caribbean this winter.
By Punta Cana Talk Editorial Team | Published September 13, 2026
Canadian travelers Dominican Republic air connectivity grows as a WestJet aircraft arrives at Punta Cana International Airport.
For years, flying to the Dominican Republic from Canada meant one thing: Punta Cana. Toronto and Montreal departures, a five-hour flight, and the same airport at the end of the runway. That’s starting to change.
This winter, WestJet, Air Canada and Air Transat are all expanding their service to the country. New routes are opening from Winnipeg, Montreal and London, Ontario. Puerto Plata and Samaná — long overshadowed by Punta Cana — are seeing some of the fastest growth. And for Canadian travelers, that means more choices, more departure cities and a country that’s suddenly much easier to explore beyond the beach.
According to airport operator AERODOM, Canadian traffic to Puerto Plata has grown by 13% so far this year, while Samaná has seen an increase of 62% compared with the same period in 2025 — a signal that Canadian travelers are starting to look past the traditional gateway. The figures were reported by Caribbean Journal and DR1.com.
WestJet Opens the Door from Winnipeg
The most talked-about addition this season is WestJet’s new nonstop route between Winnipeg and Punta Cana, scheduled to begin on November 28, 2026. For travelers in Manitoba, it’s the first direct link to the country’s most popular beach destination — no more connecting through Toronto or Calgary. The announcement was made in a WestJet press release and covered by Caribbean Journal.
WestJet is also adding weekly service between Winnipeg and Puerto Plata in December, opening up the country’s north coast to a new set of Canadian travelers. And Sunwing Vacations will be offering a broader winter package program from November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027, so travelers who prefer an all-in-one booking have more options than before.
“We’re excited to offer our guests more ways to swap their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them.”
Air Canada and Air Transat Add Their Own Routes
WestJet isn’t alone in this. Air Canada is launching a new Montreal–Santo Domingo service on December 10, 2026, giving Canadian travelers a direct line to the Dominican capital for the first time in years. Santo Domingo is a different kind of Caribbean destination — colonial architecture, a vibrant food scene, and a growing cultural reputation that goes well beyond the beach. If you’ve been to Punta Cana and want to see another side of the country, this is your route.
Air Transat is adding weekly service between London, Ontario and Puerto Plata starting December 15, 2026. It’s a smaller route, but a meaningful one: it opens the country’s north coast to travelers from southwestern Ontario who previously had to drive to Toronto to catch a flight.
The New Routes at a Glance
| Airline | Route | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| WestJet | Winnipeg – Punta Cana | November 28, 2026 |
| WestJet | Winnipeg – Puerto Plata | December 2026 |
| Air Canada | Montreal – Santo Domingo | December 10, 2026 |
| Air Transat | London, Ontario – Puerto Plata | December 15, 2026 |
Dates and schedules can shift, so it’s always worth confirming directly with the airline before booking.
Why the Dominican Republic Is Diversifying
For travelers, the appeal is obvious: more departure cities, more arrival points and more ways to build a trip that fits your plans. But the shift is also part of a broader strategy on the Dominican side.
The country is no longer promoting itself as a single destination. Tourism officials now market Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Samaná, Miches, Santo Domingo and La Romana as distinct experiences — beaches, mountains, colonial cities, whale-watching seasons and quieter resort areas — rather than a one-size-fits-all Caribbean vacation. Airlines are responding to that strategy by adding routes that serve each region directly.
At the same time, changing travel preferences across Canada and disruption in some competing Caribbean destinations may be pushing more travelers to consider the Dominican Republic as an alternative. The country benefits from a combination of established infrastructure, warm winter weather and a growing reputation for variety.
What This Means for Your Next Trip
If you’re planning a Caribbean escape this winter, here’s what the new routes actually change:
- More departure cities. Winnipeg, London (Ontario) and Montreal now offer direct options that didn’t exist before. That means less time in connecting airports and more time on the beach.
- More arrival points. Puerto Plata, Samaná and Santo Domingo are now realistic alternatives to Punta Cana — whether you want a quieter stay, a colonial city or a different stretch of coastline.
- More competition on some routes. New capacity doesn’t always mean lower fares, but it does tend to open up options. Booking early for peak weeks like Christmas and New Year is still the smart move.
- A longer winter season. With Sunwing’s package program running from November through April, the window for a warm-weather escape is wider than usual.
If you’re heading to Punta Cana and want to make the most of the new routes, our Punta Cana winter guide cover what to expect. And for arrival logistics, the Punta Cana International Airport guide answers the most common questions.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The 2026-2027 winter season could mark an important shift in how Canadians travel to the Dominican Republic. For decades, the country has been marketed as a single-destination escape. This winter, for the first time, travelers from across Canada will have genuinely different ways to experience it — whether that’s a family week in Punta Cana, a cultural stop in Santo Domingo, or a quieter stay on the north coast.
Whether this becomes a lasting pattern or a one-season bump will only be clear once the winter is over. But the direction is clear: the Dominican Republic is no longer just a beach destination with one airport. It’s becoming a country with many ways in.
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