Israel inaugurated a new international airport in Eilat 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.

Among the VIPs taking part were Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of Transportation and Strategic Affairs Yisrael Katz.

Ilan widow and Assaf’s mom, Rona, was not there to participate as she was niftar just a few short weeks ago.

PM Netanyahu spoke with Ramon Airport Control Tower prior to the landing of the first flight at the airport.

“Ramon, this is Arkia 763. We are very moved to be on the first flight to Ramon Airport. We see you clearly. The airport is very important vis-à-vis our national security, the development of the Negev and Eilat, and the development of civil aviation. This truly is very, very moving. This moment and this airport cause us to remember Ilan, Asaf and Rona Ramon. The Ramon family will be with us here. We are due to land.”

Excerpt from PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at the Dedication:

“Last night the air force strongly attacked Iranian targets in Syria after Iran launched a missile from there at our territory. We will not ignore such acts of aggression as Iran attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and given explicit statements by Iran that it intends to destroy Israel, as the commander of the Iranian air force has just said.

“We are acting against Iran and against the Syrian forces that abet the Iranian aggression.

“Whoever tries to hurt us – we hurt them. Whoever threatens to destroy us will bear the full responsibility.”

Ilan Ramon perished in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster in the United States as he was on the flight as the first Israeli astronaut. Six year later, during a training accident involving a F-16, their son Assaf was killed. The two are buried side-by-side in Nahalal.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: ששון תירם)