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
Eilat Airport (ETH), also known as J. Hozman Airport, is a facility of profound historical significance that served as the primary gateway to Israel's Red Sea resort district for exactly 70 years. For travelers, it is critical to realize that ETH was permanently closed on March 18, 2019; all regularly scheduled commercial and private flight operations have been fully transferred to the state-of-the-art Ramon International Airport (ETM), located approximately 18 kilometers to the north in the Timna Valley.
Any modern itinerary or flight booking showing the code ETH is outdated, and passengers must utilize ETM for all domestic and international links to southern Israel. Historically, the airport was unique for its extreme urban proximity, with the 1,900-meter runway effectively dividing the city center from the beachfront hotel zone. Following its decommissioning, the massive 750,000-square-meter site is currently being transformed into a landmark urban renewal project, featuring expansive green parks, modern residential neighborhoods, and a world-class cultural and convention center.
For those arriving at Ramon Airport (ETM), ground transportation into central Eilat is well-organized via frequent shuttle buses (Lines 30 and 50) and authorized taxis, providing a 20-minute link to the resorts. The former terminal area remains a sentimental site for many, but travelers should ensure all ground logistics are directed to the new Ramon hub. Always verify your departure airport on your ticket to avoid confusion with the cityโs historic but now-inactive downtown airfield
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
Kiryat Shmona Airport (KSW) is a vital regional aviation hub currently undergoing a transformative reactivation phase as of late 2025, serving as the essential 'Northern Shield' gateway to Israelโs Upper Galilee region. A unique connection advantage is the planned integration with a future national railway station and a dedicated commercial district in southern Kiryat Shmona. The airfield features a well-maintained 1,348-meter asphalt runway situated at an elevation of 377 feet. KSW remains a professional and highly strategic entry point into the agricultural and food-tech heartland of the Galilee.
For travelers, a critical connection tip is recognizing its status as a high-efficiency link to central Israel; once full commercial service resumes, direct hops to Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion - TLV) and Ramon (ETM) will reduce travel times from several hours by road to approximately 40 minutes. Ground transportation is well-managed, with authorized taxis and pre-arranged shuttles available for the short 5-to-10-minute transit into central Kiryat Shmona. The facility also acts as a critical node for medical evacuations and regional security missions.
The terminal building, originally constructed in 2006, is being modernized to handle a steady flow of domestic regional passengers. Arriving at the airport at least 90 minutes before your departure is recommended to navigate the thorough security screening common in regional Israeli hubs. Always confirm your flight status via the airlineโs app, as regional security conditions can lead to short-notice schedule adjustments.
โ Back to Eilat Airport