With construction well under way, the new Ramon International Airport is set to be opened in winter 2018/19. Once operational, it will replace Eilat Airport and Ovda Airport, which currently handle 1.6 million passengers a year. Both airports will be closed upon Ramon’s opening, which will then be the second international airport operating in Israel, an alternate (operational wise) to Ben- Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, which currently handles 20 million passengers a year.
A warm welcome
The single terminal facility is expected to handle 1.8 million passengers in its first year of operations, rising to 2.25 million passengers in 2022. Those using the airport will be greeted by an ultra-modern terminal with quality facilities, including coffee shops, restaurants, duty free and other services that will make the passenger experience comfortable, pleasant and relaxed.
Passenger processing will be done in a way that enhances traveller experience by using modern check-in facilities, high-tech HBS for security baggage screening and friendly staff.
The runway – with a length of 3,600m and a width of 60m – will sport 29 aircraft parking positions, and be able to serve any aircraft of any airline with a safe and secure environment for the benefit of all.
The generous incentive schemes offered by The Israel Airports Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and the Eilat Hotels Association to those airlines wishing to use Ramon will allow airlines to offer passengers a reasonable fare, and will contribute commercially to the economic success of the region.
Eilat: the perfect location
Ramon is ideally situated at just 19km from the city of Eilat. Located by the Red Sea, the city is one of the most beautiful resorts in the country. It boasts miles of beaches and desert landscapes, coral reefs, a lively nightlife, shopping centres, numerous tourist attractions and more than 11,000 rooms in over 50 hotels.
Timna Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, is located 25km north of Eilat, and is the perfect place for family excursions, with numerous activities available, including pedal boats, bike rental and guided tours. It also boasts one of the world’s first copper mines.
Other must-see sites situated near the new airport include the Ramon Crater, located in Israel’s largest natural park, the Ramon Nature Reserve, and the Dead Sea, the lowest and saltiest place on earth at more than 400m below sea level, which has its own resort area that offers a one-of-a-kind experience of beauty and tranquillity.
Eilat’s location in the Negev desert enables easy access to popular destinations in the region, such as Taba in Egypt, and Aqaba and Petra in Jordan, by passing through the Israel Airports Authority border terminals.