New Airport to Change Southern Israel’s Tourism Scene

The Fellowship  |  July 21, 2017

An airport tower in the middle of the desert.
New Airport to Change Southern Israel's Tourism Scene

Southern Israel is a majestic and beautiful part of the Holy Land that can often be overlooked by visitors. But that will all change next year, reports JNS’ Judy Lash Balint, thanks to a new and modern airport, named after Israeli aeronautic heroes Ilan and Assaf Ramon:

Driving into Timna Park, a 15,000-acre nature reserve expanse bounded by majestic, red-tinged craggy hills, it’s easy to feel the awe and serenity that’s the hallmark of any desert experience. Drive 20 minutes south, and you’ll arrive at the brash Red Sea resort town of Eilat, where water sports and shopping are the order of the day.

Timna is less than 10 minutes by car from the new Ilan and Assaf Ramon Airport that’s scheduled to open next spring near Eilat, in what is expected to be a game-changer for southern Israel’s tourism scene.

RyanAir, Monarch, Finnair, SAS and Wizz are among the airlines signed up to use the new airport, whose tower, runways and terminals lie in the Arava Valley, in sight of the scenic Edom Mountains.

Variety is the name of the game today for tourism development in Israel’s south. Tourism officials are predicting the opening of the ultra-modern Ramon Airport in 2018 will bring tens of thousands of visitors not just to Eilat, but to places like Timna and the varied desert attractions in the area…

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