PAWA Dominicana
A former Dominican scheduled airline that linked Santo Domingo with Caribbean and nearby international markets using McDonnell Douglas aircraft.
About PAWA Dominicana
PAWA Dominicana was a Dominican Republic-based scheduled airline established in 2003. Operations began in 2005, although the carrier later experienced a lengthy interruption before returning to scheduled service in 2015. Its legal identity was Centavia, and the PAWA brand was used publicly. The airline was privately operated and positioned itself primarily as a regional Caribbean carrier rather than as a large long-haul flag airline.
The airline’s principal base was Las Américas International Airport near Santo Domingo. From there, PAWA Dominicana served destinations across the Caribbean and northern South America, including Havana, San Juan, Curaçao, Aruba, Antigua, Sint Maarten, Port-au-Prince and Caracas. Miami also appeared in its international network. Its schedule was designed partly around connections through Santo Domingo between regional markets with limited nonstop service.
PAWA Dominicana operated an older McDonnell Douglas fleet, principally MD-80-series and DC-9 aircraft. These narrow-body jets were suited to the short- and medium-haul sectors forming most of the airline’s network, but they were less fuel-efficient than newer Airbus and Boeing alternatives. Service was generally offered as a conventional scheduled-airline product, with cabin arrangements and inclusions varying by aircraft, fare and route.
The carrier did not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It also had no widely established frequent-flyer programme comparable with those operated by major global airlines. Travellers therefore had limited opportunities to earn or redeem alliance benefits, although interline or commercial arrangements could vary during different phases of the airline’s operations. Any historical membership claims or loyalty benefits should now be treated as inactive.
PAWA Dominicana’s main strength was its focus on direct regional links and connecting traffic through Santo Domingo, particularly between Caribbean cities that were not always well connected. Its principal challenge was operational and financial stability. Dominican authorities suspended its operations in 2018 amid financial and regulatory difficulties, and the airline has not resumed scheduled passenger service. Consequently, its former routes, fares and travel policies are historical rather than currently bookable products.
Good to know
Flying with PAWA Dominicana — what to expect
Operations Remain Suspended
PAWA Dominicana has not operated scheduled passenger flights since its 2018 suspension. Websites offering current PAWA-branded tickets should be approached cautiously and independently verified.
Historical Fleet
The airline primarily used McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and MD-80-series aircraft. Cabin layouts and comfort standards varied across these older narrow-body jets.
Former Santo Domingo Hub
Las Américas International Airport was the airline’s main connecting point. PAWA’s former schedules concentrated on Caribbean and nearby international routes from Santo Domingo.
No Active Baggage Policy
Historical baggage allowances should not be relied upon because the airline is inactive. For any itinerary involving a similarly named operator or legacy booking, confirm the operating carrier and its current rules.
No Alliance Benefits
PAWA Dominicana was not a member of a major global airline alliance. Travellers should not expect current mileage earning, lounge access or reciprocal status benefits.
Route network
Popular routes operated by PAWA Dominicana
Notable destinations on PAWA Dominicana's network.
Destination list is indicative of PAWA Dominicana's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of PAWA Dominicana
TripAdvisor · 2017–2019- 56
- 45
- 33
- 23
- 133
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Missing Pawa
Very nice! great service, the flight is always on time and great drinks! great flight time and smooth ride every time I flew with them.
Posted July 2019 by Kickin' It With Dee, Dominican Republic
sorry that it was late
excwelent service, good food, service and very punctual, too bad is not traveling to Dominican Republic.
Posted July 2018 by rparra667, Phoenix
What can I say... they are grounded
I booked 2 flights with PAWA months in advance and 3 months in between the two flights. The first one was cancelled so we had to pay triple the cost of the PAWA flight as we had to get there that day and by the time the second flight was coming up the airline… See more was grounded. I guess that’s what I get for planning so far ahead! Obviously my advice is that even if this company does start flying again to not choose them! Save yourself the stress, agro and ultimately money!!!
See lessPosted March 2018 by Mullen89, London
PAWA DOMINICANA CANCELATIONS
The airline cancelled operations three days after I bought my ticket due to debt with Government of Santo Domingo. They indicated through the website and email that all customers should process their refunds and they would be responding in 21-30 business days.… See more After one month, no response, no one to talk with about the situation, and no responsibility from anyone on reimbursement to our credit cards. If the company does not pay its clients back, they should not be allowed to fly under any circumstances, whether under PAWA or any other name for that matter. There should be a government agency to deal with this, but no one says me.;-((((
See lessPosted March 2018 by LNannette, Morovis
Nightmare
I booked a ticket back in December and was called a month later telling me the airline would not operate flights on the day we choose and we were changed to a later date. I called and said that would not work and finally got confirmation of a change a day… See more earlier. Now, today, I just got another notification that the airline will not operate any flights the week of my travel. I already had to change the hotel and car rental ones, and now to book with another airline I am going to pay upwards of $100 more than what I paid for my flight. What a nightmare. Worse airline and I haven't even flown with them yet. They need to figure out what they are going to do and stop screwing people over because they continue to cancel flights every other month.
See lessPosted March 2018 by wisconsindude2017
Never Reimbursed me for 3 tickets..
while I bought 3 tickets in advanced for 3 consecutive weekends (because I go to law school in DR). Airline was closed. I know have 3 tickets of 265 each, that has not been refunded. even after completing the online paper work requested. it has been over 40… See more days, and I still don't have my money in my credit card.
See lessPosted March 2018 by Humbeero Guzman, Miami Beach
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
PAWA Dominicana — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- There is no current carry-on allowance because PAWA Dominicana is not operating. Historical dimensions and weight limits should not be used for travel on another carrier.
- Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo was PAWA Dominicana’s principal departure and connecting airport. Other notable airports in its former network included Miami, Havana, San Juan and Curaçao.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because PAWA Dominicana is inactive, searches are more likely to return flights from other carriers serving its former markets.
- PAWA Dominicana does not currently fly. Its historical network linked Santo Domingo with cities including Miami, Havana, San Juan, Willemstad, Oranjestad, Port-au-Prince, Caracas, St. John’s and Philipsburg.
- PAWA Dominicana tickets are not currently available through normal scheduled-airline channels. For comparable Caribbean routes, fares are often lower when booked outside holiday periods and purchased several weeks ahead.
- PAWA Dominicana currently serves no destinations because its operations have remained suspended since 2018. The size of its historical network varied over time.
- PAWA Dominicana’s primary hub was Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo. The airline is no longer operating scheduled passenger services.
- PAWA Dominicana has no current longest route because it does not operate scheduled flights. Its former international network changed over time, so a single historical longest sector cannot be stated confidently without a dated schedule.