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The Ministry of Tourism announced plans to open a new international airport in three years time at Timna, 11 miles north of the southern seaside resort town of Eilat.
The airport will be named after the late Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, and will replace existing airports in Ovda and Eilat.
The airport will feature a state-of-the-art light rail that will transport travelers to downtown Eilat, as well as long- and short-term overnight parking.
The $422 million airport is expected to spark a 300% increase in tourism to southern Israel with an anticipated 1.5 million travelers arriving on both international and domestic flights each year.
Haim Gutin, Israel commissioner for Tourism, North and South America, said the new airport will help encourage travel and simplify access to one of Israel's most beautiful and inspiring regions.
