Carrier deploys PTY-PUJ service to connect South American perishables and pharma with European markets via commercial passenger networks
Panama-headquartered Uniworld Air Cargo has begun using DP World's air cargo logistics joint venture (JV) hub at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic.
The multimodal facility at PUJ was jointly developed with Grupo Puntacana and built through an agreement between DP World and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ), a subsidiary of Grupo Puntacana.
Uniworld Air Cargo now operates flights from its Tocumen International Airport (PTY) hub in Panama to PUJ on Tuesdays and Saturdays to support the movement of goods from South America, Central America and the Caribbean to Europe.
The flights will carry an average of 120 tons per month, with capacity anticipated to be utilised by perishable cargo such as flowers and fruits, pharmaceuticals, parcels and dry cargo.
The Punta Cana hub will connect cargo from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru with high-frequency commercial flights to cities such as Madrid, Frankfurt and London, with the possibility of incorporating Canada in the future.
"This advance reinforces the strategic vision of both companies: to turn Punta Cana into a key regional connection point, offering greater international connectivity for exporters and importers, more stable and predictable services, and contributing to the dynamization of the economy, increasing competitiveness against other logistics platforms in the region," said Manuel Martínez, chief executive of DP World in the Dominican Republic.
"This project marks a milestone for the region, consolidating Punta Cana as a strategic centre for innovation and air logistics. With this infrastructure, we not only strengthen international connectivity, but also promote economic development and the generation of quality jobs in the area," added Ebell De Castro, general manager of PCFTZ.
Dubai-based maritime giant DP World first confirmed it would be involved in developing the Punta Cana hub, capable of supporting multimodal air, land and sea cargo, in 2023. The venture was the first air cargo logistics hub for DP World.
Airfreight operations began in May 2024 with the arrival of the first freighter aircraft, an Air Canada Cargo-operated Boeing 767F.
The Punta Cana hub has approximately 4,000 sq m of cold rooms for perishable products, specialised processes for cargo in transit - with reduced transfer times, ramps and direct connections for cargo and commercial flights, as well as security services and specialised equipment for different types of merchandise.
Total cargo volumes at the end of 2025 reached more than 33,000 tons, including import, export and transit. This represented an increase of 15% compared to 2024.
