โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Bar Yehuda Airfield (MTZ) is a unique aviation facility situated at the base of the historic Masada fortress in the Judean Desert, Israel. The airport holds the world record for being the lowest aviation facility on Earth, positioned at an elevation of approximately 1,240 feet (378 meters) below sea level. Serving as a specialized gateway for the Dead Sea region, the airfield provides a high-efficiency entry point for high-profile tourists, private charters, and aerial sightseeing tours that offer spectacular views of the ancient Masada ruins and the crystalline salt formations of the Dead Sea.
The passenger terminal is a modest, functional structure designed for small-scale regional transit rather than high-volume commercial crowds. Facilities are focused on essential traveler needs, providing a comfortable waiting area and administrative offices for the facility's management. Technical operations are centered around a 1,200-meter (3,937-foot) asphalt runway, which is capable of accommodating light turboprop aircraft and executive piston planes. A defining characteristic of MTZ is its lack of a control tower and standard radar systems, requiring pilots to operate under strict Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and maintain high levels of situational awareness during desert approaches.
Beyond its logistical role, Bar Yehuda is a vital hub for adventure tourism and emergency medical evacuations in the Dead Sea basin. The airfield is frequently used as a staging point for search and rescue operations in the surrounding Judean canyons and as an alternate landing site for aircraft navigating the region's complex terrain. Ground transportation from the terminal to the Masada visitor center and the nearby Dead Sea resorts is easily coordinated through local taxi services and private transfers, with the commute typically taking less than 10 minutes. Travelers utilizing the facility are advised to coordinate their arrivals in advance, as the airfield remains a specialized hub for bespoke travel and cultural exploration.
๐ Connection Tips
Private charter and general aviation services serving world's lowest airport (-378 meters below sea level) accessing Masada UNESCO World Heritage site and Dead Sea therapeutic tourism region. Basic airfield facilities focus on specialized aviation operations with minimal amenities, requiring advance coordination for desert aviation accessing remote historical sites. Archaeological tourism coordinates with Masada fortress tours, Dead Sea therapeutic treatments, Qumran caves, and biblical archaeology sites throughout this historically significant desert region. Health tourism includes therapeutic treatments, mineral spas, desert wellness programs, and medical tourism utilizing Dead Sea's unique properties and therapeutic climate.
Ground transport includes short taxi transfers to Masada cable car (5 minutes), Dead Sea resorts, and Ein Gedi nature reserve throughout Israel's unique desert tourism corridor. Hebrew and Arabic official languages with English available in tourism services, in Judean Desert region where ancient history meets modern Israeli tourism and archaeology. Historical significance includes Masada fortress, Second Temple period archaeology, Byzantine and Crusader sites, and modern Israeli desert development achievements. Environmental conservation includes desert ecosystem protection, archaeological site preservation, and sustainable tourism development throughout sensitive desert environments.
Desert climate with extreme heat and dry conditions requiring careful flight planning, plus VFR-only operations due to lack of control tower in challenging terrain. Banking services available at nearby tourist sites with Israeli shekel and major credit cards accepted at Dead Sea resorts and Masada visitor facilities. Dead Sea activities include therapeutic mud treatments, salt spa services, floating experiences, and desert hiking throughout the world's lowest terrestrial point. Consider extreme desert conditions when planning visits, as summer temperatures can exceed 50ยฐC while winter offers more comfortable conditions for accessing this unique combination of ancient history and natural wonders.
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
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