The Captains Council expresses its concern regarding the failures experienced this morning in the electronic data collection system for entry to and exit from the Dominican Republic, known as the E-Ticket, which have clearly exposed significant weaknesses in the manner in which its completion is currently being required.
The mandatory completion of the E-Ticket exclusively through electronic means—without the availability of alternatives at departure airports, such as computer stations or in-person assistance for completing the form, and without a paper-based option in the event of system failures—represents a substantial obstacle for millions of travelers. This situation disproportionately affects elderly passengers and individuals who, at the time of boarding, lack digital access or experience connectivity issues or device malfunctions.
Compounding this issue is the prohibition on boarding for passengers who do not present a completed E-Ticket, creating a “perfect storm” that negatively impacts travelers—the cornerstone of the Dominican economy—and places entire families in highly distressing situations, particularly at foreign airports.
Our pilots have repeatedly witnessed cases in which passengers—most of them elderly—are denied boarding due to the absence of an E-Ticket, even when the circumstances are beyond their control. At the same time, the Captains Council recognizes the legitimate interest of Dominican authorities in collecting data electronically. In this context, we respectfully propose the following adjustments to the current process:
- Eliminate the requirement for an E-Ticket as a pre-boarding condition, and instead require it upon arrival to or departure from the immigration area. This measure should be accompanied by the establishment of electronic completion zones within immigration areas, equipped with computers and trained personnel to assist travelers. This would prevent the denial of boarding at foreign airports and the resulting emotional and logistical hardship for families, particularly those traveling with elderly individuals or passengers with limited digital access.
- Create a physical contingency form for exceptional situations such as the one that occurred on December 27, 2025, when the E-Ticket platform was unavailable for several hours. This form could be completed in the immigration area upon arrival to or departure from the Dominican Republic, recognizing that it is impractical for the hundreds of airlines operating in the country to have real-time information regarding system availability, which currently leads to automatic denials of boarding.
The Captains Council believes that these targeted adjustments would have a meaningful impact on traveler confidence in Dominican authorities and would significantly reduce the frustration and hardship experienced by families denied boarding due to the absence of this form, while allowing the government to continue collecting data through digital means.