American Airlines Closes Dominican Office

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · AVIATION

American Airlines, one of the world’s largest airlines, has closed its customer service office in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Customers must now book and change tickets online or by phone, the dailies Diario Libre and Listín Diario reported on Wednesday 14 October.

Flights between the Dominican Republic and the United States are not affected, an airline executive told Listín Diario. For Dominicans in the US and for American visitors, it ends decades of walk-in service at the carrier’s office in the capital.

What American Airlines Changed

Diario Libre, the Santo Domingo daily, reported that the airline’s office on Max Henríquez Ureña, in the capital’s National District, has shut. The paper said the closure is part of a restructuring ordered from company headquarters, citing a source who asked not to be named.

That source said the aim is to centralize the local work in a regional hub. The source added that the decision is not linked to any drop in the airline’s business in the country.

Listín Diario, another Santo Domingo daily, also reported the closure of the ticket office. Its source, an airline executive who asked not to be named, said services are being centralized in the United States.

“We will continue our regular flight operations from the Dominican Republic,” the executive told the paper. Customers will now make reservations and buy tickets on the internet or through the airline’s phone channels.

El Día, a third Santo Domingo daily, reported the closure of the airline’s reservations office on the same street. Its source said the airline made the change because most air tickets are now sold online.

A Presence Dating Back to 1975

American Airlines began flying to the Dominican Republic on 8 September 1975, Diario Libre reported on Thursday 15 October. It took over the New York to Santo Domingo route rights from Pan American Airways, the US carrier that later folded.

Its first office in the capital was on El Conde, the main pedestrian street of the colonial old town. The office that has now closed was on Max Henríquez Ureña.

The airline serves five Dominican airports: Las Américas in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and La Romana, Diario Libre said. Its routes link the country with Miami, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Chicago.

What It Means for You

For US travellers heading to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo, flights keep running as scheduled, according to the papers. Bookings, ticket changes and other requests now go through the airline’s website or its phone lines.

The local 24-hour number is 1-829-200-1161, Diario Libre reported. In the US, the English line is 1-800-433-7300 and the Spanish line is 1-800-633-3711.

Listín Diario said the change mainly hits people who preferred to buy tickets, change trips or check fares in person. The paper named older passengers among those most affected.

The source quoted by Diario Libre said flights are set to increase in November and December. That covers the Christmas season, when many Dominicans who live in the United States fly home.

A Tough Year for Airlines

Listín Diario placed the closure against financial strain and cuts in operations across the airline industry. The source quoted by Diario Libre said that operations at Dominican airports remain stable.

Elsewhere in the region, carriers are trimming routes as jet fuel costs climb. Brazil’s Gol confirmed on 14 October that it will cut routes, including a São Paulo to Punta Cana flight, The Rio Times reported.

What Is Not Known

American Airlines has not said publicly how many people worked at the office or what happens to their jobs. It has also not said on which day the office stopped serving customers.

No reaction from the Dominican labour ministry or from unions has been reported. The airline has not said whether offices in other countries face similar changes.

More: Dominican Republic news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Airlines still flying to the Dominican Republic?

Yes, flights between the Dominican Republic and the United States continue as normal. An airline executive told Listín Diario that regular operations will go on.

How do I change an American Airlines booking in the Dominican Republic now?

Customers must use the airline’s website or phone lines instead of the Santo Domingo office. The local 24-hour number is 1-829-200-1161, and the US Spanish line is 1-800-633-3711.

Why did American Airlines close the office?

An airline executive told Listín Diario that it is part of a restructuring that centralizes services in the United States. A source quoted by El Día said most air tickets are now sold online.

Which Dominican airports does American Airlines serve?

It serves Las Américas in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and La Romana. It links them with US cities including Miami, New York, Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Sources: Diario Libre, 14 October 2026; Listín Diario, 14 October 2026; El Día, 14 October 2026; Diario Libre, 15 October 2026.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief

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