Air Haifa Tel Aviv-Eilat flights: route guide

Air Haifa opened sales on October 11 for a planned domestic route between Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport near Eilat. Flights are due to begin on October 25, 2026, with about two departures in each direction per day at first and about three per day in November.

The route has not started operating. Treat the date and frequency as plans until a flight is independently confirmed, and use the live booking result for the exact departure rather than assuming there will be a seat at a convenient time.

*Original AI-generated OpenSim editorial image. The unbranded aircraft and landscape are conceptual and do not show Air Haifa, a scheduled flight or a precise route view.*

The practical answer: Search TLV to ETM, not Tel Aviv to the former city airport. The planned flight leaves from Ben Gurion Terminal 1 and lands at Ramon, 19 km north of Eilat. The NIS79 headline is a limited introductory fare, so compare the final total after a carry-on, checked bag, seat and schedule are chosen.

This guide was checked on October 11, 2026, the day sales opened and two weeks before the planned first flight.

What Air Haifa has announced

Air Haifa's announcement, republished by Haipo, says the airline plans to start Ben Gurion-Ramon service on October 25. The initial plan is approximately two flights each way per day, increasing to approximately three in November. The notice identifies Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion, ATR 72-600 aircraft and a flight time of about one hour.

Ynet independently reported the same start date, airport pair, terminal and aircraft. Calcalist reported that sales opened on October 11 and that the NIS79 one-way price is a launch offer limited by available inventory.

No complete public timetable was included in those announcements. Search the actual date in Air Haifa's booking system and check the confirmation again before travel. A planned daily frequency is not a promise that every date will offer the same number of flights.

The flight uses Ben Gurion and Ramon airports

The airport codes are TLV for Ben Gurion and ETM for Ramon. Ramon replaced the former Eilat city airport, so the plane does not land in central Eilat.

The Israel Airports Authority says Ramon is 19 km north of Eilat, beside Highway 90 near Be'er Ora. Several Egged bus lines connect the airport with Eilat at municipal fares, and metered taxis are available. Check the bus time against the actual arrival because a one-hour flight can still be followed by a wait and a road transfer.

At Ben Gurion, the announced departure point is Terminal 1. The Airports Authority says domestic Ramon flights use Terminal 1 and advises passengers to verify the terminal before arriving. This matters if an international flight lands at Terminal 3 or if a train brings you there.

The airport operates a free Terminal 3-Terminal 1 shuttle about every 15 minutes, around the clock. Its Terminal 3 stop is on Level G near Gate 01. Do not treat that frequency as connection protection: allow time to collect bags, clear arrival formalities, move between terminals and pass domestic security.

The NIS79 fare is not the full trip price for everyone

The advertised NIS79 price is one way, offered in both directions and subject to seat availability. It is not a permanent route tariff and it does not mean every date or departure will cost NIS79.

Air Haifa describes its current ticket as Flex. The airline's booking guide says it includes one personal item and lets a passenger change or cancel up to 24 hours before departure, subject to the ticket conditions. Seats, a cabin trolley and checked baggage are optional extras.

Before payment, compare the final amount for every traveler. A low headline fare may no longer be the cheapest useful option after bags, seats and an inconvenient return time are considered. Save the confirmation because it records the price and conditions that apply to the purchase.

Check the bag dimensions, not just the label

Air Haifa's current baggage page allows one free soft-sided personal item with no wheels, up to 40 by 30 by 20 cm and 5 kg. It must fit under the seat.

A carry-on for the overhead bin is an add-on. Its maximum size is 55 by 40 by 25 cm, including wheels and handles, and its maximum weight is 8 kg. A standard checked bag is also an add-on and may weigh up to 20 kg, with combined dimensions up to 190 cm.

The airline currently labels Eilat bag prices as variable and says prices update in real time. Add baggage during booking or through “My booking” when possible; Air Haifa says airport prices are higher. Use the amount shown for the selected TLV-ETM flight rather than a fee quoted for Haifa, Cyprus or Greece.

Arrive for Terminal 1 security, even after online check-in

Air Haifa's check-in page advises passengers departing Tel Aviv Terminal 1 to arrive at least two hours before departure. Online check-in opens 48 hours before the flight and closes four hours before it.

Online check-in does not remove the security process. The Airports Authority's domestic security guidance says passengers must arrive two hours before takeoff and no later than one hour before. It accepts a valid Israeli ID card, Israeli driver's licence, passport or laissez-passer, among other listed documents. Air Haifa likewise says a valid ID card or driver's licence may be shown for a domestic flight.

Bring the original valid document that fits the passenger's situation. A traveler with checked baggage must still use the counter, and Air Haifa says no booking changes can be made after online check-in is completed.

Treat an international arrival and the Eilat flight as separate journeys

If you arrive at Ben Gurion from abroad and buy Air Haifa separately, the domestic flight is not automatically protected. You may need to pass border control, collect checked baggage, clear customs, move from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1, pass security and check the bag again.

Do not build that journey around the advertised one-hour flying time. Leave a generous buffer, and consider an overnight stay when a delayed inbound flight would erase the connection. If the Air Haifa ticket is missed, its ordinary fare conditions, not the international airline's connection policy, are likely to control your options.

The same logic applies in reverse. Leave enough time after landing at Ramon, reaching Eilat and later returning to Ben Gurion for any separately booked international departure.

Changes and cancellations usually produce airline credit

Air Haifa says a Flex booking can be moved through “My booking” without a change fee until 24 hours before departure, although any fare difference remains payable. A cancellation made by the deadline produces Air Haifa credit for a future booking, not automatically a cash refund.

The airline's current terms say the credit is placed in the main passenger's account and remains valid for two years. Canceling online can apply to all passengers and services in the booking. Partial cancellations and requests based on consumer law have separate processes, so contact the airline when the whole booking should not be canceled.

Read the issued ticket before relying on flexibility. Coupon bookings have additional limits, and ancillary-service refunds are not automatic.

Mobile data between Tel Aviv and Eilat

A live Israel OpenSim eSIM can provide ground mobile data on a compatible, unlocked phone for booking checks, terminal directions, Ramon transport and maps in Eilat.

The public catalog was checked on October 11 and listed 15 purchasable Israel packages. Allowance, validity, network, reduced-speed policy and top-up eligibility vary by package. Review the selected plan before paying rather than relying on a starting price.

An eSIM does not provide inflight Wi-Fi, protect a separate-ticket connection or guarantee reception inside an airport. Install it while dependable Wi-Fi is available and save the booking, hotel address and essential transport details offline.

Ten questions about Air Haifa Tel Aviv-Eilat flights

Is the Air Haifa Tel Aviv-Eilat route operating now?

No. Sales opened on October 11, and the planned first service is October 25, 2026. Until an independent source confirms an operated flight, treat the route as scheduled rather than launched.

Which airports does Air Haifa use for Tel Aviv and Eilat?

The route is planned between Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Ramon Airport (ETM). Ramon is 19 km north of Eilat; it is not the former airport in the city center.

Which Ben Gurion terminal will Air Haifa use?

The announcement specifies Terminal 1. Confirm it on the booking and the airport flight board because terminal assignments can change.

How often will Air Haifa fly to Eilat?

The initial plan is about two flights in each direction per day, rising to about three per day during November. Air Haifa has not published one fixed timetable in the announcement, so search the exact date.

Is every Air Haifa Eilat flight NIS79?

No. NIS79 is a limited introductory one-way fare subject to availability. The final price depends on the flight and any seat or baggage extras.

What baggage is included with an Air Haifa ticket?

One soft personal item up to 40 by 30 by 20 cm and 5 kg is included. An overhead-bin carry-on and checked bag cost extra, with live Eilat pricing shown during booking.

How early should I arrive at Ben Gurion Terminal 1?

Air Haifa and the airport both advise arriving two hours before a domestic departure. Online check-in closes four hours before the flight, but security and baggage steps still take place at the airport.

Can I connect from an international flight at Terminal 3?

You can transfer between terminals on the free airport shuttle, but a separately purchased domestic ticket is not a protected connection. Allow time for border control, bags, customs, the shuttle, security and a new check-in.

How do I get from Ramon Airport to Eilat?

The Airports Authority lists several Egged bus lines and metered taxis. Ramon is 19 km from Eilat, so include the ground transfer when comparing a flight with a bus or car journey.

Can I cancel an Air Haifa ticket for a refund?

Air Haifa's ordinary Flex option allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the first flight for airline credit valid for two years. A cash-refund right can depend on the law and circumstances, so check the cancellation page and the issued ticket.

Before booking

• Search TLV-ETM for the actual travel date and return date.
• Treat October 25 and the announced daily frequencies as plans until operation is confirmed.
• Verify Terminal 1 on the booking and airport flight board.
• Compare the final fare after all bags and seats are added.
• Check that the personal item fits Air Haifa's weight and size limits.
• Arrive two hours early even if online check-in is complete.
• Leave a generous buffer after a separately booked international arrival.
• Add the Ramon-Eilat bus or taxi to the total journey time and cost.
• Save the booking code, identification requirements and cancellation deadline offline.
• Recheck the flight status before leaving for either airport.

How the new route was verified

Air Haifa's announcement supports the sale date, planned October 25 start, approximate initial and November frequencies, Terminal 1, ATR 72-600 aircraft, flight duration and introductory fare. Ynet and Calcalist independently corroborate the core announcement while making clear that NIS79 is limited by availability.

Air Haifa's current check-in, baggage, booking and cancellation pages support the passenger guidance. The Israel Airports Authority supports the Terminal 1 domestic operation, security timing, terminal shuttle and Ramon-Eilat transport details.

Public traveler discussions were used to identify recurring questions about airport codes, separate tickets, terminal transfers, baggage, buses and the distance between Ramon and Eilat. They were not used as proof of airline or airport policy.

OpenSim will update this page after independent confirmation of the first flight or if Air Haifa changes the start date, frequency, terminal, baggage, check-in, fare or route status.

*Airline, airport, news, traveler-question, Google policy and OpenSim catalog sources were reviewed on October 11, 2026.*