SANTO DOMINGO.- Although the management contract for the Las Americas International Airport stipulates that the group Aerodom must maintain the facilities clean and in good state, Airport Department inspectors have disclosed the terminal’s many deficiencies.
The report submitted by Airports Technical director Juan Belliard states that the lack of maintenance, deficient lighting, leaks, unfinished work and mistreated floors are some of the faults detected, which the authorities call worrisome. "The inspection just concluded has uncovered many deficiencies: in the public areas, in the sterile areas, the operational areas and parking, in the front door to enter our country, which gives a very bad impression to the passengers who visit us."
The inspection conducted January 28 in the areas of immigration, departure lounge, departure gate, businesses, bathrooms, escalators and normal stairways, baggage handling, and visitor and employee parking.
It also found bad-smelling bathrooms, open sewers, clogged urinals, damaged faucets and floors, peeling paint and unfinished repairs.
Aerodom recently sold its contractual rights to a Mexico-based company for an undisclosed amount.
Written by: josean, 4 Feb 2009 8:35 AM
From: United States
"It also found bad-smelling bathrooms, open sewers, clogged urinals, damaged faucets and floors, peeling paint and unfinished repairs. "
The future of the METRO!
Failed State!
Written by: Carmen, 4 Feb 2009 9:10 AM
From: United States, New York City
I beg to differ. I recently came and went through is airport and seen nothing of what was mention in the report! Other than there being a bomb scare the day before I departed, I thought this airport was better than the in Punta Cana. (should I clean my glasses) Hey guys!
From: United States
well, Carmen, did you spend any time looking for these maladies, or were you more absorbed in the more natural pursuits of a traveller, such as dodging the overloaded baggage carts of your fellow arrivals, being pushed by their 5 year old kids?
Written by: Carmen, 4 Feb 2009 9:44 AM
From: United States, New York City
Hey, dreadlocks well actually I did spend sometime there, as and international traveler it is recommended you arrive at least 3 hours before schedule departure so as you can see that is quite some time. As a female you know bathroom was a must. As a human eating was essential. As a women in love hopefully not with a sanky we walk hand in hand throughtout the termianl. Maybe just maybe my love made me blind!
Written by: juanb, 4 Feb 2009 10:15 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The impression these conditions give may be bad, but sadly, they are accurate.
Written by: tejada, 4 Feb 2009 11:32 AM
From: United States
The airport does need some attention. The "one" elevator I saw was not even working. however, I think the issues described are nothing that cannot be handled. Simple maintenance work is all is needed... and, josean, let us hope the metro keeps doing as well as it has so far. no need to be negative about something that is good.
From: United States, (on Sabbatical)
The reason why the Aeropuerto de La Americas is delapidated could be it's because mostly the natives use this airport to fly in and out of the country. It might not have a high priority as the smaller higher-end tourist only airports. "Follow the money" is the rationale that's possibly being used here.
Airports like Punta Cana caters to the exclusive tourists who the national authorities want to impress and "cater' to. Bienvenidos a la primada de America...blase'....
Again, Punta Caucedo is for the 'Domestic repeat, captive audience coach set', not the "Jet Set". Which airport gets the maintenance (International standards)?
You be the judge. It's Common sense.
From: United States, Richmond, Texas
I think tejada pegged it in his simple one statement-"Simple maintenance work is all is needed".
How unfortunate it is that that one word and setting aside money to conduct are clearly lacking in most latin cultures and it is no different in the DR.
From: United States
"Airport Department inspectors have disclosed the terminal’s many deficiencies."
Hmmm.......interresting. A private airport inspected by the state....low paid gov't employees that happened to have found deficiencies. Sounds to me like the perfect formula for corrupt activities.
I betcha that before your know it everything will be just fine, you will see. Private enterprise does work very well in 3rd world countries.
Written by: antonio1, 4 Feb 2009 8:39 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
Agreed with Carmen, I arrived in SDQ in Dec for the Christmas vacation and the arrival area was better kept then MIA, of notice was the speed the bags got in the belt, the only problem was the rental car agencies, I departed from the departure area and everything was fine. So was the big deal? PLAY BALL
Written by: OndeVert 
, 4 Feb 2009 10:27 PM
From: United States
That airport is full of Haitian!
From: United States
I agree with Antonio. MIA airport was horrible. I saw nothing wrong with SDQ airpport.
Written by: antonio1, 5 Feb 2009 7:33 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
OdenVert, what's with the hate? stop injecting racist terms in your posts, It's offensive, not useful, and botton line stupid.
From: United States, San Diego, California
They forgot to mention in the report the corruption of the airport employee that even with cameras around them; they ask for brides. Dominican are stopped many, many time to check they are not leaving the country illegal or just to bother in order to get a few dollars from them. While white people pass through with no problem. That is total discrimination against our own population. There is too much corruption in the country.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
There has been an improvement in services and organization ever since Aerodom let us hope that the new group continue to upgrade the facility
Written by: doktora, 8 Feb 2009 9:56 PM
From: Philippines
i'VE been in that airport and what i observed is what the examiners have seen. dominican republic is promoting their tourist spots and lots of tourist visited DR but what i observed is that they speak only solo espanol. When i was in the airport, nobody understand what im saying, so they find somebody who knows and understand english and its really wasting of time. If DR is promoting their country they supposed to know how to speak english. we filipinos knew how to speak english and undserstnd english anh pokito hablar espanol...
From: United States
doktora-I agree, that if a person has a job in which interaction with non-Spanish speakers is part of day-to-day busines, at minimum, basic english should be a prerequisite for employment. However, on the other hand, I do not believe that they have to do anything, if they wish not to. Employment of bilingual or multilingual staff, would be beneficial for tourism no doubt, and for any industry of course, regardless of need, because you never know when it might come in handy. But NO, "they are not supposed to know how to speak english." They are suppose to speak Spanish. The Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country and unlike the Philipines, English is not an official language, so therefore under that premise I must differ. Just one question, what are you going to tell a Dominican street vendor when you are unable to communicate?
Written by: doktora, 10 Feb 2009 12:36 AM
From: Philippines
When i was in Conde i really tried to speak little spanish . i do understand that its difficult for them to speak and understand english and its understandable. what i'm saying is when i was in AIRPORT.
"if a person has a job in which interaction with non-Spanish speakers is part of day-to-day busines, at minimum, basic english should be a prerequisite for employment. "
But its not what happened when i was in airport. the Immigration officer nor the other personnel doesnt know what im saying. What i'm concerned of on this matter is not to force the dominicans to speak english but to encourage the airport personnels to understand basic english atleast .
Regarding your question well ...... Comprar ... hehehe....
From: United States
doktora-nevertheless, I am a little surprised that you encountered difficulty at Las Americas, it is the biggest and one of the most important airports in the DR and I would not expect this to happen. Even though English is not our official language, it is widely spoken throughout, at almost all of the hotels, but most particulary in tourist areas such as in Punta Cana, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Samana and it is used for business in Santo Domingo. It would be a good idea to write to the airport authorities to express your concern and hopefully it will be addressed in a timely manner. Sorry for the inconvenience, other then that, I hope everything else went well and that you had an enjoyable and pleasant stay in our country.
Written by: doktora, 10 Feb 2009 11:05 PM
From: Philippines
YES i enjoyed my stay in your country... God bless
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The future of the METRO!
Failed State!
Airports like Punta Cana caters to the exclusive tourists who the national authorities want to impress and "cater' to. Bienvenidos a la primada de America...blase'....
Again, Punta Caucedo is for the 'Domestic repeat, captive audience coach set', not the "Jet Set". Which airport gets the maintenance (International standards)?
You be the judge. It's Common sense.
How unfortunate it is that that one word and setting aside money to conduct are clearly lacking in most latin cultures and it is no different in the DR.
Hmmm.......interresting. A private airport inspected by the state....low paid gov't employees that happened to have found deficiencies. Sounds to me like the perfect formula for corrupt activities.
I betcha that before your know it everything will be just fine, you will see. Private enterprise does work very well in 3rd world countries.
"if a person has a job in which interaction with non-Spanish speakers is part of day-to-day busines, at minimum, basic english should be a prerequisite for employment. "
But its not what happened when i was in airport. the Immigration officer nor the other personnel doesnt know what im saying. What i'm concerned of on this matter is not to force the dominicans to speak english but to encourage the airport personnels to understand basic english atleast .
Regarding your question well ...... Comprar ... hehehe....