Southwest Airlines is set to relaunch service to the Caribbean’s most popular tourism destination: Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. 

On Feb. 17, 2022, the low-cost carrier will resume daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Punta Cana. 

It’s a major boost for the Dominican Republic’s tourism capital, and a sign of Southwest’s continued Caribbean focus at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, where it’s been rapidly expanding its regional footprint over the last several years. 

As was the case before the pandemic, the Dominican Republic has continued to see the largest volume of tourists amid the pandemic. 

Indeed, the country recently approached 3 million visitors for the year, easily the most of any destination in the region. 

The other surging destination in the wider region has been Mexico, which is also getting a pair of new routes next week, as well. 

Southwest has also announced plans to launch a new Caribbean route, with seasonal Saturday nonstop service between Denver, Colo. and the island of Cozumel in Mexico (subject to government approvals). 

That’s along with another new flight launch to Mexico, with plans for new service between Austin, Texas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico beginning on March 12, 2022. 

For more, visit Southwest. 

— CJ