Hundreds stuck in DR airport after airline suspended

Hundreds of travellers were stranded in the Dominican Republic's main international airport Friday after authorities suspended the country's principal airline for not paying debts. Officials announced Jan 27 that they were suspending Pawa Dominicana's operations at the Santo Domingo airport for at least 90 days because the company owes US$3m in taxes and airport fees to the govt and $5m to private contractors. Some 1,300 passengers arriving in Santo Domingo on other airlines for connections with Pawa over the last week have found themselves without a way to reach their final destinations and many are sleeping in the airport due to the high prices of lodging. The company declined to comment, but has told passengers to wait 2 to 3 weeks for refunds. It has not offered to help with food or lodging. <br/>