Israel opens new Eilat airport, angering Jordan

Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is inaugurating a new international airport near the Red Sea whose location has drawn criticism from neighboring Jordan.

The Ramon International Airport opened Monday just north of the southern resort city of Eilat and roughly eight miles (13 kilometers) from Jordan's Aqaba airport.

Jordan contends the Ramon Airport violates international standards regarding respect for airspace and sovereignty as it is situated less than a half-mile from the border.

Jordan's complaint with international authorities may stem from concerns that the new airport will draw tourists to Israel and away from Jordan.

The new airport is named after Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was killed in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle explosion, and his son Assaf, an Israeli Air Force pilot who died in a training accident in 2009.