Ultra-Low-Cost Airline Launches Nonstop Flights To The Dominican Republic For Under $100

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If you’ve ever looked at Punta Cana flight prices and thought, “Cool… so I’m just staying home then,” I have some genuinely good news for you. Avelo Airlines just launched a brand-new nonstop route from Wilmington International Airport (ILM) in North Carolina to Punta Cana (PUJ)—and yes, intro fares have popped up under $100 on select dates.

This isn’t just a “nice new option” to add to the list. As Managing Editor, I see a lot of route announcements cross my desk, but this one is a milestone: it’s Avelo’s first nonstop international route and the first-ever international route for ILM.

The basics: route, days, and why it matters

The new ILM → PUJ service began December 24, 2025 and runs twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Avelo (a budget carrier headquartered in Texas) says it’s currently the only airline offering this nonstop pairing, which is exactly why I think this is such a big deal for coastal North Carolina travelers. You can finally skip the usual “connect in Atlanta/Charlotte/Miami and pray the layover behaves” routine.

Also worth noting: ILM has an international terminal and U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection setup—which is basically the behind-the-scenes reason an airport can suddenly start doing international flights without everything turning into chaos.

How the “under $100” price actually works (and what to watch for)

Let’s talk about that juicy number. According to reports on the launch, some one-way fares have shown up around $99 standard (or $96 with Avelo Plus) on select dates.

Here are a few “budget airline reality checks” I always remind travelers of before they smash the Book button:

• Under-$100 is typically a limited promo fare, not an all-the-time price.
• Budget carriers often keep the base fare low, then charge extra for things like seat selection, carry-ons/checked bags, and priority boarding.
• The cheapest fares tend to be easiest to snag when you’re flexible with dates (especially if you can travel midweek—conveniently, this route is Wednesday/Saturday).

If you want a quick refresher on how I travel cheaper without hating my life, check out our guide on 5 Things Pro Travelers Never Do (And What They Do Instead). It’s a solid cheat sheet before any low-cost flight.

Punta Cana planning + My personal airport tip

Punta Cana is built for easy vacations, and having flown into PUJ myself, I can tell you it is generally a very smooth, good experience. Most travelers base themselves in one of these zones:

• Bávaro Beach / El Cortecito: classic resort strip, lots of dining and activity options nearby.
• Cap Cana: more upscale and quieter (often pricier, but gorgeous).
• Uvero Alto: more laid-back, more “resort bubble,” usually farther from the airport and town areas.

Here is my insider tip for you: When you are leaving Punta Cana to head back home, the airport has a VIP lounge that features an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the tarmac. It is one of the coolest airport features in the Caribbean. Make sure you pack a swimsuit in your carry-on so you can take a dip while waiting to take off. I gain access with Priority Pass.

If you’re going the all-inclusive route (and honestly, Punta Cana is one of the best places on Earth to do it), here’s a read that breaks down why the destination keeps pulling in budget-minded travelers: Affordable Beach Bliss: Why Punta Cana’s All-Inclusives Are Luring Record Visitors.

What Americans need to enter the Dominican Republic (don’t skip this part)

This is the part that can absolutely ruin a “cheap flight win” if you ignore it. Here are the biggies for U.S. travelers:

• Tourist card fee: The Dominican Republic has a $10 tourist card fee that’s typically included in airline charges.
• eTicket is required: Travelers must complete an electronic ticket for each entry and exit of the Dominican Republic.
• No visa for most short tourist trips: Most U.S. tourists don’t need a visa for typical vacation stays (but always verify if your situation is unique).

To make this brain-dead simple, you can use our TOP Entry Requirement Checker, and you can also read our full explainer: Dominican Republic Entry Requirements For US Travelers.

And if you want to go straight to the source for the eTicket, the Dominican Republic’s immigration site explains what it is and why it’s mandatory.

Avelo + the “smaller airport” advantage

One underrated perk here is Wilmington (ILM) itself. I love big hubs for connectivity, but they can be a mess—especially around holidays and spring break. Smaller airports often mean:

• shorter lines
• less terminal chaos
• easier parking
• and fewer “my gate changed 4 times” situations

Avelo has been building up ILM as a meaningful base, and both Avelo and the airport have highlighted just how much service has expanded out of Wilmington in the past few years.

Haven’t you heard this one before?

If this ILM → Punta Cana route sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve been tracking the wave of smaller U.S. airports getting first-time beach routes. Our earlier coverage—2 US Cities Launching First Ever Flights To Popular Beach Destinations—flagged this exact kind of “surprise nonstop” trend.

TLDR: if you’re anywhere near Wilmington (or can reposition there cheaply), this new nonstop could be your easiest on-ramp yet to a Punta Cana escape—without paying “peak season” airfare to do it.

Tyler Fox

Tyler is our Managing Editor and Writer. After spending years reading, writing, and obsessing over travel (while taking trips as often as possible of course!), he aims to give readers the best and most balanced experience possible when exploring the site.