Eilat Airport (IATA: ETH, ICAO: LLET), Israel's prominent southern civil airport, serves the port city of Eilat under the management of the Israel Airports Authority. Since its establishment in 1949, the airport has evolved into a crucial aviation hub connecting Eilat with major domestic and limited international destinations.
Infrastructure and Operations
The airport features a 1,900-meter runway with a width of 27 meters, capable of handling large aircraft including Boeing 767s. Situated just 13 meters above sea level, its strategic coastal location ensures optimal flight operations. The 2,800-square-meter terminal provides modern passenger facilities, primarily serving domestic routes to Tel Aviv and Haifa that facilitate both tourism and local transportation needs.
While historically focused on domestic traffic, Eilat Airport has gradually introduced select international routes in recent years, responding to growing tourism demand and reflecting broader trends in global aviation connectivity.
Transition to Ramon Airport
With aviation demands outpacing the existing infrastructure, plans were finalized to replace Eilat Airport with the new Ramon Airport, which opened in 2017. This state-of-the-art facility significantly enhances the region's aviation capacity with modernized infrastructure designed to accommodate increased flight operations and passenger volumes.
The transition represents a strategic upgrade for southern Israel's aviation network, incorporating advanced technologies to improve passenger experience while attracting additional international carriers. This development is expected to further stimulate tourism and economic growth throughout the Eilat region.
Legacy and Future
Eilat Airport's operational history and eventual replacement illustrate the dynamic evolution of aviation infrastructure in response to changing economic and technological landscapes. The transition to Ramon Airport demonstrates Israel's commitment to maintaining world-class aviation standards while supporting regional development objectives.
As Ramon Airport assumes its role as the region's primary aviation gateway, the legacy of Eilat Airport remains an important chapter in Israel's transportation history, marking nearly seven decades of service that facilitated the growth of Israel's southern tourism economy.
