Israel's Minister of Transportation, Yisrael Katz, has announced that Eilat Ramon International Airport will officially to commercial traffic on January 22.
In the first stage, Katz told Calcalist that Arkia Israeli Airlines (IZ, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) and Israir (6H, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) would operate domestic flights to the airport from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Sde Dov and Haifa following which foreign carriers plying international services will begin operating. Once commissioned, Eilat Ovda International will close to civilian flights while Eilat J. Hozman will close outright.
Katz said that the new airfield's new 3,600 metre-long runway would allow for the operation of transatlantic flights. It will also serve as an alternative airfield for Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, replacing Larnaca and Amman Queen Alia.
