Israel’s new international airport near Eilat to open January 21
Transportation minister says Ramon Airport will start out with domestic flights only, and move gradually toward full operation
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The government plans to inaugurate a new international airport in the south of the country near the Red Sea later this month, the transportation minister announced Tuesday.
The Ramon International Airport will begin with only domestic flights, before gradually moving toward full operation, Israel Katz said in a statement.
The inauguration ceremony will be held on January 21 with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance.
Initially domestic flights will be operated by the Arkia and Israir carriers. A time frame was not given for when the airport will be fully operational.
Construction costs for the airport have been put at 1.7 billion shekels ($455 million). Work got underway in 2013 but original specifications for the project were revised to allow for upgrades.
The airport is in Timna, some 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the Red Sea resort town of Eilat and near the Jordanian port of Aqaba.
Its website says that it will be able to initially handle up to two million passengers annually, but will be able to expand to a capacity of 4.2 million by 2030.
It will replace Ovda airport, some 60 kilometers away from Eilat, and will be able to serve as an alternative to Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv during times of emergency.
The new airport is named for astronaut Ilan Ramon and fighter pilot Asaf Ramon, whose wife and mother Rona Ramon died last week.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.