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Low-cost rivals Spirit and JetBlue are giving passengers more ways to get between Fort Lauderdale and the Dominican Republic.
Spirit Airlines started a daily nonstop route to Santiago last month and continues to offer daily nonstop service to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. JetBlue Airways launched its first route to the island — daily nonstop service to Santo Domingo — as part of its recent expansion in the Caribbean.
Strong cultural, tourism and economic ties join South Florida and the Dominican Republic. Unlike many other Caribbean nations, the Dominican Republic does not have a national airline.
Both airlines say they’re satisfied with the number of passengers for the new routes. Some passengers say the competition to Santo Domingo is making travel more convenient and affordable.
"I used to fly Spirit, but now I switched to JetBlue," said Iliana Alvarez, 28, of Santo Domingo. She and husband Joel Morales, 33, have family in North Miami and visit at least twice a year.
Her reason for the switch: the New York-based carrier allows passengers to check one bag for free and offers complimentary in-flight beverages and television. Spirit charges for each checked bag and in-flight beverages, and the airline does not offer onboard entertainment.
"Those things are just little details that count," said Alvarez. She said she’s telling family and friends about JetBlue.
JetBlue is promoting restricted sale fares to Santo Domingo starting at $94 each way, matching the sale fare offered by its Miramar-based competitor. Spirit also is offering special fares of $29 each way for select dates in August and September.
Many factors are driving the airlines’ Dominican expansion. For one, Dominicans in South Florida and their relatives frequently travel to visit each other. About 80,000 Dominicans live in South Florida, according to census data.
The island is a top tourist destination because it has many affordable resorts. The country has more hotel rooms than any other Caribbean nation — at least 60,000. As South Florida’s fifth-largest trading partner, the Dominican Republic is business destination as well, airlines and experts say.
"The Caribbean needs this kind of low-cost service," said Bob Booth, chairman of AvGroup Inc. His Miami-based consultant group focuses on aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Executives at both airlines say they’re not worried about the competition. "We love competition," said Barry Biffle, Spirit’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer. The airline has been serving the island from Fort Lauderdale since 2004, he added.
JetBlue offers passengers a "higher value versus a bargain-basement type of experience," said David Clark, the carrier’s director of route planning.
While its Fort Lauderdale route is new, the airline takes passengers to Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros and Puerta Plata from its New York hub. Airline experts say there are enough passengers to keep Spirit and JetBlue flying to the Dominican Republic.
"I think they’ll both be in the market for some time to come," said Stuart Klaskin, a Miami-based airline consultant.

By Jaclyn GiovisSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jaclyn Giovis can be reached at 954-356-4668 or jmgiovis@sunsentinel.com.