Modern glass terminal exterior at Ovda Airport in Israel's Negev desert, with access roads, cars and arid mountains at golden hour

Airport

Ovda Airport (VDA)

Ovda Airport (VDA) was the desert gateway to Eilat and Israel's southern Red Sea coast, located about 60 km north of the city. It handled charter and low-cost flights from Europe before civilian operations moved to Ramon Airport in 2019, with road transfers available to Eilat and nearby resort areas.

Passengers

Luggage

About Ovda Airport

Ovda Airport (VDA) is a military air base and former joint-use civilian airport in the Uvda region of southern Israel, about 60 km north of Eilat. It was opened as a military base in 1981 and began handling civilian passengers in 1982.

For several decades it served as Eilat's international airport, mainly for charter and low-cost flights from Europe, alongside domestic connections. Civilian operations ended on 31 March 2019 when the new Ramon Airport near Timna took over passenger traffic.

The passenger facilities were concentrated in a single compact terminal with check-in, security, arrivals and a small range of shops and cafés. Because of its desert location, road transfer times to central Eilat were typically around 50 to 60 minutes.

Buses, taxis, private transfers and rental cars connected the airport with Eilat, the Red Sea coast and other parts of southern Israel, making it the main air gateway to the region during its years of operation.

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Terminal Overview

Travelers walking beneath terminal signs inside an airport

Terminals

Ovda Airport operated passenger flights through a single terminal that handled both domestic and international services, including charter and low-cost connections to Europe.

Ground Transportation Services to and from Ovda Airport

Transfers

Book private transfers between Ovda Airport (VDA) and hotels, resorts and city destinations in Eilat and along the Red Sea coast.

Hourly Chauffeur

Arrange a chauffeur by the hour for flexible travel between Ovda Airport, Eilat, business meetings and sightseeing in the southern Negev.

Car Rental

Rent a car at Ovda Airport for independent travel to Eilat, the Red Sea coast and onward destinations in southern Israel.

Bus & Group Transfers

Organize minibuses or charter buses for groups travelling between Ovda Airport, Eilat hotels, event venues and other destinations.