PAWA Dominicana
Charting the Skies of the Dominican Republic: An exploration of the former flag carrier's journey.
Discover PAWA ๐ Explore the Fleet โ๏ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Overview
National Identity
PAWA Dominicana, legally known as Pan Am World Airways Dominicana, C x A, was established as the international flag carrier of the Dominican Republic. It was initially conceived as a subsidiary airline to support the operations of Pan American Airways, aiming to connect the Dominican Republic with key destinations across the Caribbean and the United States.
Operational Hub
The airline designated Las Amรฉricas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo as its primary operational hub. This strategic location was intended to facilitate its network expansion and solidify its role as a central connector within the Caribbean aviation landscape.
Operational Timeline
Founded on September 30, 2002, PAWA Dominicana commenced its scheduled flight operations on October 1, 2007. After a period of suspension and restructuring, it restarted services in August 2015. Unfortunately, the airline ceased all operations on February 2, 2018, marking the end of its service.
Airline Operational Details
Key Identifiers
PAWA Dominicana operated under specific industry codes:
| Identifier | Code |
|---|---|
| IATA | 7N |
| ICAO | PWD |
| Call Sign | PAWA |
Strategic Alliances
The airline engaged in strategic partnerships to expand its reach:
- Alliance: Associated with Aserca Airlines.
- Frequent Flyer Program: Utilized the "Preference" program.
- Codeshare Agreements: Maintained codeshare agreements with Aserca Airlines and Air Europa.
Corporate Structure
PAWA Dominicana was part of a larger corporate framework:
- Parent Company: Grupo Cรณndor C.A.
- Headquarters: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
- Key Personnel: Simeon Garcia (Owner), Gary Stone (CEO), Alexander Barrios (Director of Corporate Affairs).
Historical Trajectory
Genesis and Early Development
PAWA Dominicana was established in 2002 as an affiliate of Pan American Airways. Initially operating under a strategic alliance with Boston-Maine Airways, the airline underwent a significant transition in April 2005 when Servair, a Dominican corporation, acquired full ownership. This acquisition initiated a new certification process under evolving Dominican aviation regulations, positioning the airline for local control and operation.
Gaining Altitude
By May 2007, the company secured its Air Operator Certificate Part 121 from the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC). This certification authorized regular services to North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean region, and worldwide charter operations. The inaugural flight took place on October 1, 2007.
Ownership Changes and Resumption
In June 2010, a consortium of airline professionals purchased the company, appointing Mrs. Mirtha Espada as president. The airline temporarily suspended scheduled services in February 2012, focusing on charter operations. A subsequent leadership change in March 2012 saw Hector Gomez appointed president, tasked with organizational reorientation and the reintegration of the original founder.
Following the acquisition of its air operator certificate in mid-October 2014, PAWA Dominicana resumed operations on August 14, 2015, utilizing a fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.
Grounding and Cessation
On January 26, 2018, PAWA Dominicana faced suspension due to significant financial arrears, reportedly owing over $3 million to Dominican aviation authorities. This led to a 90-day suspension by the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), grounding flights and stranding passengers. Compounding the issue, the lack of fleet maintenance became apparent. Similar financial difficulties affected its Venezuelan affiliate, SBA Airlines. PAWA Dominicana formally ceased all operations on February 2, 2018, and was legally dissolved on August 6, 2019.
Operational Scope
Route Network
PAWA Dominicana's operational authority encompassed international charter services and scheduled flights connecting its Santo Domingo hub to various destinations. Key routes included services to Antigua, Aruba, Curaรงao, Havana, San Juan, and Sint Maarten, typically operated multiple times per week using MD-80 and DC-9 aircraft.
Strategic Ambitions
The airline aimed to establish Santo Domingo (SDQ) as a pivotal "HUB of the Caribbean." Plans were in place to expand connectivity, including potential flights from Santiago and Punta Cana to major North American cities like Miami and New York, as well as to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Key Destinations
Served Airports
As of its final operational period, PAWA Dominicana served the following destinations:
| Country | City | Airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John's | V. C. Bird International Airport | Via Sint Maarten |
| Aruba | Oranjestad | Queen Beatrix International Airport | |
| Cuba | Havana | Josรฉ Martรญ International Airport | |
| Curaรงao | Willemstad | Hato International Airport | |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | Las Amรฉricas International Airport | Hub |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince | Toussaint Louverture International Airport | Terminated |
| Puerto Rico | San Juan | Luis Muรฑoz Marรญn International Airport | |
| Sint Maarten | Philipsburg | Princess Juliana International Airport | |
| United States | Miami | Miami International Airport |
Fleet Composition
Final Fleet Configuration
As of August 2017, PAWA Dominicana's operational fleet comprised the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Capacity (C/Y/Total) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 757-200 | โ | 1 | TBA | Intended transfer from SBA Airlines. | |
| Bombardier CRJ200LR | โ | 6 | โ/50/50 | Intended for "PAWA Connection" banner. | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 1 | โ | โ/160/160 | ||
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 4 | โ | โ/160/160 | ||
| McDonnell Douglas MD-87 | 1 | 1 | 12/97/109 | ||
| Total | 6 | 8 | |||
Previously Operated Aircraft
The airline also operated the following types during its history:
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Aerospace Jetstream 31 | 2 | 2005 | 2012 |
| Cirrus SR-22 | 1 | 2015 | 2016 |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 | 3 | 2008 | 2017 |
References
Source Material
The information presented on this page is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on PAWA Dominicana. The detailed citations are managed programmatically.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Pawa Dominicana" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on data extracted from Wikipedia and other publicly accessible sources, which may not be entirely comprehensive, accurate, or up-to-date.
This content does not constitute professional aviation, business, or legal advice. The information provided is not a substitute for consulting official airline documentation, regulatory guidelines, or seeking advice from qualified aviation industry professionals. Reliance on this information is solely at the user's own risk.
The creators of this content are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information presented herein.