Salazar and Espaillat Urge Administration to Finalize U.S. – DR Open Skies Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The co-chairs of the Congressional Friends of the Dominican Republic Caucus, Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), sent a letter to the Biden Administration expressing their support for the ongoing negotiations and swift finalization for a modernized United States—Dominican Republic (US-DR) Open Skies Agreement.

In their letter, Salazar and Espaillat highlighted potential benefits of a modernized agreement that would increase flights and flight routes between the U.S. and Dominican Republic, lower airfare costs for travelers, and increase tourism and economic growth for both nations.

“High airfare prices and limited flights are making it difficult for the thousands of Dominican Americans who call Miami home to visit their families in the Dominican Republic,” said Rep. Salazar. “As co-chair of the Friends of the Dominican Republic Caucus, I am proud to join my colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to expand opportunities to increase flights and lower airfare prices by finalizing a modern Open Skies agreement with the Dominican Republic.”

“We write on behalf of our numerous Dominican American constituents who have been waiting for years for a modernized US-DR Open Skies Agreement that would benefit both countries and enhance our bilateral relationship,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Our constituents have regularly expressed their frustration with the current state of limited flight routes and exorbitant prices on flights from the United States to the Dominican Republic, which often prevent them from traveling to visit their family and loved ones. A modernized Open Skies Agreement would provide new flight options, lower fares, and better service among more airlines in the market, supporting the booming tourism economy and the deserving Dominican American families who wish to travel to and from their nation of origin. In turn, our letter respectfully requests that the administration continue to prioritize this important agreement’s finalization on behalf of our constituents and their families.”

Representatives Espaillat and Salazar were joined in the letter by fellow Caucus Members Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), Grace Meng (D-NY), and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL).

The full letter can be read here.

Congresswoman Salazar represents over 20,000 Dominican Americans in Florida’s 27th congressional district.

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