According to the plan, the Airports Authority will finance the construction of the airport and operate it. The cost of the project is estimated at approximately NIS1.6 billion whilst estimated construction time is approximately three years from the start of work. 1.5 million passengers are forecast to use the airport – 90% on internal flights.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the decision to move Eilat’s airport outside the city, is part of a comprehensive plan to develop Eilat, “This airport, which the Government recommends be named after Ilan and Assaf Ramon, will be an alternative to Ben-Gurion International Airport and the airport in Eilat. It will free up considerable land in Eilat, provide a solution for the expansion of Eilat and prevent noise and other pollution in the city. In other words, this is a very important decision. It is part of the steps we are taking to change Eilat and the Negev, including laying a railway to Eilat and widening the Aravah road. We are also checking on the possibility of moving the Eilat port. All of these things are really changing the face of reality in Eilat and the south of the country.”

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