The Israeli government has revealed plans to build a new $472 million international airport at Timna, 30km north of Eilat, which will replace the city’s current J. Hozman Airport.

The new airport, which will be financed and operated by Israel Airports Authority, is part of a comprehensive plan ‘to promote the economic progress of the city by freeing up land for tourism, commerce and housing’, according to reports.

The Government expects construction of the airport to take three years. An estimated 1.5 million passengers are forecast to use the airport each year, approximately 90 percent of the passengers on domestic flights.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu commented: “This airport, which the government recommends be named after Ilan and Assaf Ramon, will be an alternative to Ben-Gurion Airport and the airport in Eilat.

“It will free up considerable land in Eilat, provide a solution for the expansion of Eilat and prevent noise and other pollution in the city.

“In other words, this is a very important decision. It is part of the steps we are taking to change Eilat and the Negev, including laying a railway to Eilat and widening the Aravah road.

“We are also checking on the possibility of moving the Eilat port,” Netanyahu said at Sunday’s cabinet meeting.

City.Mobi

Also in Israel today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Tel Aviv.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

‘TelAviv.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.