โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Eilat Airport (ETH), officially known as J. Hozman Airport, was a historic aviation facility that served as the primary gateway to Israel's Red Sea resort city for exactly 70 years. Established in 1949 by the Israel Air Force, the airport initially connected the remote southern enclave with Tel Aviv and Haifa, playing a pivotal role in the early development of Eilat as a major tourism destination. The airport was named after Yakov Hozman, the founder of Arkia Airlines, and it remained a sentimental and functional landmark for generations of Israeli travelers until its permanent closure on March 18, 2019.
The airport was unique for its extreme proximity to the city center, with the runway effectively dividing the residential and commercial areas of Eilat from the hotel district along the shore. While this provided unmatched convenience for arriving tourists, it also posed significant safety and environmental challenges as the city expanded around it. The single 1,900-meter runway was limited to narrow-body aircraft and regional turboprops, meaning that larger international flights had to utilize the remote Ovda military base, creating a fragmented and often inefficient travel experience for the region's visitors.
The closure of Eilat Airport was coordinated with the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Ramon International Airport (ETM), located approximately 18 kilometers to the north. This transition allowed for the consolidation of all domestic and international regional traffic into a single, high-capacity hub capable of handling large long-haul aircraft. The move not only modernized the region's aviation infrastructure but also served a critical strategic purpose, providing Israel with a secondary international gateway and a primary diversion point for flights originally bound for Ben Gurion Airport.
Following the cessation of flight operations, the 750,000 square meters of former airport land have become the center of one of Israel's most ambitious urban renewal projects. The removal of the runway has allowed for the elimination of long-standing height restrictions on nearby buildings and the physical integration of previously separated city districts. The redevelopment plan includes the construction of thousands of new housing units, high-end hotels, a sprawling municipal park, and a landmark cultural center. As Eilat continues to transform, the legacy of the old airport remains a foundational chapter in the city's history as a premier coastal retreat.
๐ Connection Tips
Airport permanently closed since March 2019. All passenger services transferred to Ramon Airport (ETM), located 20km north of Eilat. Uvda Airport also ceased civilian operations when Ramon opened. The facility maintains flexible scheduling to accommodate weather-related delays common in the region. Ground transportation options include rental vehicles and taxi services, though advance booking is recommended. Seasonal weather patterns significantly impact flight operations, requiring travelers to maintain flexible schedules. The airport's strategic location serves multiple communities across the surrounding region. Emergency services and medical evacuation capabilities are maintained year-round for community safety. Local aviation services include flight training, aircraft maintenance, and specialized charter operations. Weather monitoring systems provide essential data for safe flight operations in challenging conditions. The facility coordinates closely with regional air traffic control for optimal flight routing. Baggage handling procedures are streamlined due to the airport's focused operational scope.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Kiryat Shmona Airport (KSW), also identified by its ICAO code LLKS, is currently undergoing a significant reactivation and expansion phase as of 2025 and 2026. Following nearly two decades of inactivity, the Israeli government has approved a dedicated plan to reopen the facility for civilian traffic, ending its long-standing status as a closed municipal airstrip. This reactivation is a key component of the "Northern Shield" initiative, designed to provide functional continuity and rapid aerial access to the Upper Galilee region for commercial, medical, and security purposes.
The terminal building, originally constructed in 2006, is being modernized and prepared for a steady stream of domestic flights connecting the northern periphery to central Israel. Upon its full reopening, the facility is expected to host direct routes to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) and Ramon Airport (ETM), drastically reducing travel times from several hours by road to approximately 40 minutes by air. The expansion project also integrates the airport into a larger multi-modal transportation hub, which will eventually include a national railway station and a dedicated commercial and housing district in southern Kiryat Shmona.
Infrastructure at the airport centers around a 1,348-meter asphalt runway (03/21), managed by Metailey Kiryat Shmona. While initial operations will focus on domestic regional connections, the strategic long-term roadmap aims to develop the airport into a regional hub for the food-tech and business industries in the north. Ground transportation will be well-supported by new infrastructure connecting the terminal to the city center and the proposed rail network, positioning the airport as a central pillar for the economic rehabilitation and growth of the Galilee region in 2026 and beyond.
๐ Connection Tips
Allow adequate time for connections at Kiryat Shmona Airport; facilities are limited. The facility maintains flexible scheduling to accommodate weather-related delays common in the region. Ground transportation options include rental vehicles and taxi services, though advance booking is recommended. Seasonal weather patterns significantly impact flight operations, requiring travelers to maintain flexible schedules. The airport's strategic location serves multiple communities across the surrounding region. Emergency services and medical evacuation capabilities are maintained year-round for community safety. Local aviation services include flight training, aircraft maintenance, and specialized charter operations. Weather monitoring systems provide essential data for safe flight operations in challenging conditions. The facility coordinates closely with regional air traffic control for optimal flight routing. Baggage handling procedures are streamlined due to the airport's focused operational scope.
โ Back to Eilat Airport