Eilat airport gets the go-ahead

The Israeli Cabinet has agreed the go-ahead with the new airport for the resort city of Eilat, which borders the Red Sea.  The current Eilat airport, which dates from the War of Independence, and is situated in the middle of the downtown area, only has a 1,900m long runway, suitable for a Boeing 757 on the short flight to Tel Aviv, but not on sectors to European destinations.

Just 20 miles north of the city, is to be called Timna, and will be capable of accepting long range aircraft from the United States and India, both potential large markets.

Announcing the decision Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said: “It is part of the steps we are taking to change Eilat and the Negev, including laying a railway to Eilat.”

The only negative issue from the development is that it will put paid to ideas of a joint Jordan/Israel cross border airport rather like Basle and now Gibraltar.

Under the plans when the new airport opens in three years' time the current Eilat operation will close. www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Rashot

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