North Miami-Dade News

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

In their letter, Representatives Salazar and Espaillat highlighted the potential benefits of a modernized agreement that would increase flights and air routes between the United States and the Dominican Republic, reduce airfare costs for travelers, and boost tourism and economic growth for both nations.

"The high airfare prices and limited flights are making it difficult for the thousands of Dominicans living in Miami to visit their families in the Dominican Republic," said Representative Salazar. "As co-chair of the Congressional 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 reduce 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 United States-Dominican Republic Open Skies Agreement, which would benefit both countries and enhance our bilateral relationship," said Representative Espaillat. "Our constituents have regularly expressed their frustration with the current state of limited air routes and exorbitant flight prices from the United States to the Dominican Republic, often preventing them from traveling to visit their relatives 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 thriving tourism economy and deserving Dominican-American families who wish to travel to and from their home nation. In turn, our letter respectfully requests that the Administration continue prioritizing the conclusion of this important agreement on behalf of our constituents and their families."

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

The complete letter can be read here.

Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar represents over 20,000 Dominican-American constituents in Florida's 27th Congressional District.

To find out more, go to this link: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-y-espaillat-instan-la-administracion-finalizar-el-acuerdo-de-cielos