Owais Crawford
Eilat is a city in southern Israel that had an airport named Eilat Airport, also known as J. Hozman Airport. The airport was established in 1949 and was located in the centre of the city. However, due to safety concerns and limited capacity, plans to relocate the airport began in the 1990s. In 2019, Eilat Airport ceased operations and was replaced by the new Ramon Airport, located about 18 kilometres north of Eilat. This new airport serves as a domestic and international gateway to the city, offering improved facilities and handling a larger number of passengers and flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport in Eilat | Ramon Airport, also known as Eilat Ramon Airport or Eilat-Ramon Airport |
| Former airport in Eilat | Eilat Airport, also known as J. Hozman Airport |
| Year of construction of former airport | 1949 |
| Year of construction of the new airport | 2019 |
| Distance of the new airport from Eilat | 18 km |
| Time taken to reach the airport from the city | 10-15 minutes |
| Number of passengers the new airport can handle | 2 million per year initially, rising to 4.2 million by 2030 |
| Airlines operating at the new airport | Arkia, Israir, Ryanair, WizzAir, Transavia, SAS, Finnair, Edelweiss, Ural Airlines, easyJet |
| Facilities at the new airport | Duty-free store, foreign exchange, information, transportation services, car rental counters, SIM cards, eating options |
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What You'll Learn
Ramon Airport replaced the former Eilat Airport in 2019
Ramon Airport, located in the Timna Valley in southern Israel, is an international airport that replaced the former Eilat Airport in 2019. The new airport, which is about 18 kilometres north of Eilat, is a significant upgrade from the previous airport, boasting a longer runway, ample ramp space, and a modern terminal building designed by Mann Shinar Architects.
The construction of Ramon Airport was authorised in 2011, with a projected cost of ₪1.95 billion. The project faced some delays, with the original opening date set for April 2017. However, the airport finally opened its doors on January 21, 2019, with the first international flight service inaugurated by Ryanair on March 4, 2019.
The new airport has improved travel to the southern city of Eilat, making it more efficient for both domestic and international flights. It has a capacity of handling 2 million passengers a year, with plans to expand to accommodate up to 4.2 million passengers by 2030. The terminal building spans 45,000 square metres and includes all the key facilities of a modern airport, such as duty-free shops, foreign exchange services, information desks, and transportation options like bus shuttles and taxis.
The former Eilat Airport, also known as J. Hozman Airport, was established in 1949 and was located in the centre of Eilat. Despite serving its purpose for many years, the airport had limitations due to its short runway and limited capacity. It primarily handled domestic flights, while international carriers were directed to Uvda International Airport. With the opening of Ramon Airport, all domestic and international flights to Eilat were consolidated into a single, modern facility, improving efficiency and passenger experience.
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The new airport is located 18km north of Eilat
The city of Eilat in Israel previously had an airport, known as Eilat Airport (or J. Hozman Airport). This airport was located in the city centre, adjacent to Route 90 (The Arava Road). However, due to its short runway and limited capacity, it mainly handled domestic flights.
In 2019, a new airport, Ramon Airport, opened 18km north of Eilat, replacing the former Eilat Airport and Ovda Airport for civilian traffic. Ramon Airport is located in the Timna Valley in southern Israel, next to Be'er Ora. The new airport features a 3,600-metre runway and ample ramp space, allowing large aircraft to land and park. It is expected to handle up to 2 million passengers per year, with a potential expansion to accommodate up to 4.2 million passengers by 2030.
The terminal building at Ramon Airport is designed by Mann Shinar Architects and includes all the key facilities of a modern airport terminal, such as duty-free shopping, foreign exchange, information, and transportation services. The airport is accessible by road, with a 15-minute drive from the city centre of Eilat. Shuttle services are available, and there are plans for a future rail link.
The construction of Ramon Airport was authorised in 2011, with a projected cost of ₪1.95 billion. The project faced opposition from Jordan, as it was seen as reneging on a promise made in the 1994 Peace Agreement between Israel and Jordan to establish a joint airport in Aqaba. Despite this, the new airport in Eilat has been praised for its meticulous architectural design, blending in with the surrounding desert landscape.
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It is expected to handle 2 million passengers annually
Ramon Airport, also known as Eilat-Ramon Airport, is located in the Timna Valley in southern Israel, 18 kilometres north of Eilat. It is the second busiest airport in Israel, after Ben Gurion Airport. The airport opened in 2019 and is expected to handle 2 million passengers annually, with an expansion plan that will allow capacity to increase to 4.2 million passengers by 2030.
The airport replaced the former Eilat Airport and Ovda Airport for civilian traffic. The new airport has ample ramp space and a longer runway, allowing large aircraft to land and park. The terminal building, designed by Mann Shinar Architects, features all the key facilities of a modern airport terminal, including a duty-free store, foreign exchange, information, and transportation services. The land area of the airport covers 5,500 dunams (5.5 km squared), and the main terminal building is 45,000 square metres (480,000 square feet).
The construction of Ramon Airport was authorised on July 24, 2011, and the projected cost was ₪1.95 billion. The planning budget, approved on May 6, 2010, was ₪56 million. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) planned and oversaw the project. Danya Cebus was selected to build the passenger terminal, and Mer Group was chosen to provide command and control for the airport, including CCTV and perimeter protection.
The new airport has improved travel to the southern city of Eilat, making it more efficient for both domestic and international flights. Airlines that operate at the airport include Israir and Arkia, as well as European airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and more. Ryanair has based several aircraft at the airport and plans to grow this hub into a focus city on its European route network.
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The airport features a duty-free shop and modern facilities
Ramon Airport, also known as Eilat-Ramon Airport, is an international airport located in the Timna Valley in southern Israel, around 18 km north of Eilat. The airport, which opened in 2019, replaced the former Eilat Airport and Ovda Airport for civilian traffic.
The airport's main terminal building covers an area of 45,000 square meters, while the land area of the airport covers 5,500 dunams (5.5 square kilometers). The airport has a 3,600-meter runway, eight remote parking stands for large aircraft, and nine stands for turboprop airplanes.
The addition of a duty-free shop is a new feature compared to the former Eilat Airport, which primarily served domestic flights. The new Ramon Airport, with its modern facilities and expanded capacity, has improved travel to and from Eilat, making it a significant gateway to southern Israel and the Red Sea.
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The construction of Ramon Airport angered Jordan
The construction of Ramon Airport, located 18 km (11 mi) north of Eilat, angered Jordan due to the country's previous agreement with Israel. In the 1994 Peace Agreement between the two countries, it was decided that operations would be transferred from the former Eilat Airport to Aqaba Airport in Jordan, with the original plan to rename Aqaba Airport as Aqaba-Eilat Peace International Airport. However, this agreement was never fulfilled, and a subsequent agreement in March 1997 maintained that domestic flights would continue to use the Eilat Airport, with no further steps taken to relocate international flights. The construction of Ramon Airport, which replaced the former Eilat Airport and Ovda Airport for civilian traffic, was seen by Jordan as Israel reneging on the promise of a joint airport made in the 1990s.
The opening of Ramon Airport in 2019 also raised concerns in Jordan regarding airspace sovereignty and economic interests. The airport's proximity to the Jordanian border, approximately 12 km (7 mi) from Aqaba Airport, further exacerbated these tensions. Jordan objected to the operation of the airport, arguing that it threatened their airspace and economic interests. The ability of Ramon Airport to handle large aircraft and a high volume of passengers, up to 2 million annually, potentially impacted the transit of Palestinians through Jordan, affecting the kingdom's tourism income.
The removal of the former Eilat Airport from the city centre was deemed necessary for the expansion of Eilat, allowing for the construction of additional hotels and infrastructure near the shoreline. The new airport features a longer runway, ample ramp space, and modern terminal facilities, making it an attractive gateway to Southern Israel and the Red Sea. However, the benefits of this improved infrastructure for Israel were met with concern from Jordan, particularly regarding the normalisation of the Palestinians' plight and the potential decrease in Palestinian travellers entering Jordan.
The tensions surrounding Ramon Airport reflect a complex dynamic between Israel and Jordan, with the airport's establishment and utilisation impacting diplomatic relations and economic interests in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an airport in Eilat. The Ramon Airport, also known as Eilat Ramon Airport, is located 18 km (11 mi) north of Eilat in the Timna Valley, southern Israel. It is the second busiest airport in Israel and handles both domestic and international flights.
The Ramon Airport opened on January 21, 2019, becoming the first new international airport in Israel in over 50 years.
The Ramon Airport in Eilat is expected to handle up to 2 million passengers a year initially, with plans to expand its capacity to 4.2 million passengers by 2030.
Several airlines operate at the Ramon Airport in Eilat, including Arkia, Israir, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Transavia, SAS, Finnair, Edelweiss, and Ural Airlines.
There are several options to get to Eilat from the Ramon Airport, including shuttle services, bus shuttles, taxis, and private transfer services. A shuttle service runs every 20 minutes from the airport to the city, dropping passengers at all the city's hotels.
