(PUNTA CANA) Punta Cana International Airport has earned a major upgrade in global standing, with officials confirming a 4-star Skytrax Certification for passenger experience following a three-day audit in August 2025. The move lifts the airport from its former 3-star rating and places it among the top performers across Latin America and the Caribbean, a boost that travelers, airlines, and tourism leaders have awaited after years of steady investment in facilities and service.
The 4-star mark arrived alongside a second milestone: Airports Council International (ACI) Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation, valid from August 7, 2025, to August 6, 2026. Together, the two recognitions say the airport’s promise to put passengers first is now reflected in reviewed results.
Skytrax evaluated infrastructure, comfort, cleanliness, shopping and dining, and staff service, while ACI focused on how the airport manages passenger experience across departments and shifts. Airport management said the double recognition shows that service improvements are now built into how the airport works day to day, not just as one-off projects.
What Auditors Found
Skytrax auditors noted real progress in core areas that travelers feel most: more space at check-in, better seating, and updated options for food and shopping. They rated several facilities excellent for scope and quality, while pointing out that wayfinding, restrooms, and arrivals processing remain priorities for ongoing work.
This candid mix of praise and to-do items mirrors what many travelers report online—strong service that keeps getting better, with room to grow in the areas that matter when planes land at the same time.
Recent Rankings and Context
These awards follow a run of stronger rankings for Punta Cana this year:
- In April 2025, the airport was named one of the world’s 10 most improved airports—eighth overall—and the only airport in Latin America and the Caribbean to make that list.
- It also took the title of third-best regional airport in Central America and the Caribbean at the 2025 World Airport Awards.
Those standings, built from large-scale passenger surveys, echo the upgrades travelers now see on the ground.
Upgrades Behind the 4-Star Rating
The rating did not happen by chance. In 2025, the airport began a year-long renovation and expansion of Terminal B designed to improve traffic flow and raise comfort during peak seasons.
Key elements of the program include:
- Upgraded parking and clearer road signs
- New staging areas for buses and tour operators
- A dedicated short-term parking area for light vehicles beside the CESAC security building
- Widened check-in areas and additional self-service kiosks
- Improved seating, especially for families
- Refreshed food and retail choices; updated VIP areas
- Streamlined migration and customs procedures to speed arrivals and departures
Airport officials say these changes aim to improve safety outside the terminals as much as comfort inside. Many passengers notice these small gains at the same time: a quicker line, a clearer sign, a chance to sit comfortably while waiting to board. For a busy resort gateway like Punta Cana, those minutes matter.
Capacity, Connectivity, and Industry Impact
The expansion supports the broader goal of scaling capacity to meet rising demand. Earlier plans targeted the ability to handle 10 million annual passengers within the decade.
- Airlines look for proof that an airport can handle more flights with dependable turnaround times.
- The Skytrax Certification and ACI accreditation signal to carriers that the airport’s systems and service standards are in good shape.
- According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these recognitions help the Dominican Republic build its image for strong tourism infrastructure and reliable air travel, which often supports more routes and steadier schedules.
More routes and stable schedules benefit hotels, tour operators, and workers who depend on predictable arrivals.
Traveler Guidance While Work Continues (Through Mid-2026)
The airport cautions that the Terminal B project will continue through mid-2026, with work designed to keep operations moving. Skytrax pointed to arrivals as an area to keep improving, a common issue at leisure destinations where many large aircraft can land within a short window.
Practical tips for travelers:
- Follow the new road signage for terminal access and parking changes tied to the Terminal B works.
- Use the temporary staging areas for buses and tour operators if your hotel or tour company directs you there.
- For short stays, use the dedicated light-vehicle parking area next to the CESAC security building.
- Passenger pick-up remains through the existing entrance and exit of Parking Lot B.
- Build in a little extra time during peak morning and afternoon waves while work continues.
Inside the terminals, expect:
- Expanded check-in space and more self-service options
- Updated dining and shopping areas
- Improved seating zones
- Staff trained to keep lines moving, especially for international arrivals connecting to ground transport
For current notices and customer service contacts, see the official site at the Punta Cana International Airport.
Benefits for Airlines and Local Economy
Airlines and handlers may see benefits from the 4-star results:
- A stronger rating and ACI Level 3 status can make an airport more attractive for adding flights.
- Clear plans to add space and refine processing help route planners balance demand from resort areas with reliable turn times.
- The airport’s emphasis on a customer-first culture can support smoother day-of-operations decisions when weather or scheduling shifts affect operations.
For the country, more stable route networks support tourism jobs and help communities that rely on visitor spending—from airport taxi drivers to small restaurants near major resorts.
How the Certifications Were Assessed
Skytrax’s three-day audit in August sampled services across the airport:
- Terminal comfort and staff service standards
- Scope and quality of food, beverage, and shops
ACI’s Level 3 accreditation mirrors that focus but emphasizes processes:
- How the airport measures passenger feedback
- How departments share information
- How management makes customer-focused decisions
Together, they show both the what (facilities and service) and the how (processes and management) behind the experience.
Skytrax made clear there is more to do in arrivals and wayfinding, and the airport has acknowledged those priorities as part of the next phase.
Passenger Experience and Human Impact
Travelers who have passed through recently provide the third piece of the story. Global rankings draw on large volumes of passenger feedback, and this year’s awards indicate cleaner facilities, better seating, and faster lines are being noticed.
Concrete passenger benefits include:
- Wider seating clusters that help families and groups stay together near gates
- Better food and retail choices for comfort during delays
- Cleaner restrooms and clearer signs that reduce stress after long flights
- Small improvements at immigration and customs that save time
These everyday gains are especially meaningful for those traveling with children or older relatives.
Final Notes and Recommendations
Looking ahead, the airport says the Terminal B project will wrap up by mid-2026, bringing added capacity and more room for landside and airside operations. Management has committed to keep improving signs, restrooms, and arrivals processing—the areas Skytrax flagged.
For travelers:
– Arrive with a few extra minutes
– Follow updated signs
– Expect better comfort inside
For airlines:
– Consider the airport’s 4-star facility and ACI Level 3 processes as signals of readiness to support expanded service.
For international visitors, review entry rules before travel. The U.S. Department of State’s country page for the Dominican Republic lists passport and entry guidance, country conditions, and security updates. See: Dominican Republic – Country Information.
For now, the upgraded status supports the Dominican Republic’s broader push to keep tourism strong and make air travel smoother for visitors and residents alike.
This Article in a Nutshell
Punta Cana Airport earned Skytrax 4-star status and ACI Level 3 accreditation in August 2025 after improvements in check-in, seating, and retail. Terminal B expansion through mid-2026 targets capacity growth and better passenger flow toward a 10 million annual passenger goal.
