Definition
Eilat Airport (Hebrew: נמל התעופה אילת), formerly designated by the IATA code ETH and ICAO code LLET, was a domestic civilian airport serving the city of Eilat in southern Israel.
Overview
Located on the western outskirts of Eilat, near the Red Sea coast, the airport operated primarily scheduled and charter flights within Israel, connecting Eilat with major cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Operated by the Israel Airports Authority, the facility accommodated several Israeli airlines, including El Al, Arkia, and Israir. In 2019, commercial operations were transferred to the newly constructed Ramon Airport (IATA: RMF, ICAO: LLRM), and Eilat Airport ceased passenger services on 13 March 2019. The site remains under the ownership of the Israel Airports Authority, with the runway and infrastructure largely intact but inactive for commercial aviation.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Eilat Airport” derives directly from the city of Eilat, itself named after the biblical oasis of Eylah (אֵלָה), mentioned in the Book of Numbers. The term “airport” follows the standard English designation for a facility providing air transport services.
Characteristics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Approximately 2 km west of Eilat’s city centre, in the southern Negev desert region of Israel. |
| Coordinates | 29°33′N 34°46′E |
| Operator | Israel Airports Authority |
| Type | Public domestic airport (closed to commercial traffic as of March 2019). |
| Runway | One asphalt runway, designated 10/28, measuring 2,115 m (6,939 ft) in length and 45 m in width. |
| Elevation | 41 m (135 ft) above sea level. |
| Passenger traffic | Approximately 1.1 million passengers handled in 2018, the final full year of operation. |
| Airlines (historical) | El Al, Arkia, Israir, and occasional charter operators. |
| Facilities | Small terminal building with check‑in counters, a modest duty‑free area, and basic passenger services; limited cargo handling capabilities. |
| Closure | Commercial passenger services discontinued on 13 March 2019 following the inauguration of Ramon Airport; the runway remains usable for occasional military or emergency operations. |
Related Topics
- Ramon Airport – The replacement international airport for the Eilat region, inaugurated in 2019.
- Israel Airports Authority – The governmental body responsible for the management of Israeli civilian airports.
- Eilat (city) – A resort city on the Red Sea, known for tourism, marine recreation, and its strategic location near the border with Egypt and Jordan.
- Domestic aviation in Israel – Overview of internal air transport networks and airports serving intra‑national routes.
Note: All information presented reflects publicly available data from official aviation sources and reputable publications up to the date of closure in 2019.