Ramon Airport in Israel neglects security and health safety measures, says comptroller

Recent reports highlight that Ramon Airport, near Eilat, has long been overlooked by state authorities regarding both security measures and on-site medical readiness. While there has been some enhancement in security since a Houthi drone attack in September, officials insist the improvements remain far from adequate.

On September 7, a drone launched by Houthis targeted the airports passenger terminal, injuring five people with shrapnel. Following the incident, the state auditor revealed that warnings about security and safety lapses at Ramon Airport had previously been submitted to the Knesset Comptroller Committee, but delays and objections from various government agencies postponed the publication of these findings.

The auditor, Matanyahu Englman, suggested that earlier attention to these warnings might have mitigated the impact of the attack or improved emergency response. The September strike reportedly involved sophisticated tactics, including diversion and surprise, allowing the drone to reach its target despite air defense measures intercepting other incoming drones.

Sirens were triggered in several communities near the Egyptian border, and the Home Front Command declared the alert over within ten minutes. However, additional drones managed to bypass defenses, striking Ramon Airport. Some southern officials attributed the breach to diminished air defense capacity following the Israel-Iran War in June, combined with resource allocation shifts after regional developments.

Ramon Airport receives fewer resources than Ben-Gurion Airport due to its smaller scale, yet the state auditor emphasized that even minimal international standards for safety and health are not being met. Classified details of the deficiencies are available only to Knesset members.

The report criticized the Airport Authority, police, Health Ministry, and Magen David Adom for inadequate readiness for a mass casualty scenario. Police lacked a dedicated command structure for airport security, while the militarys involvement has been limited. Moreover, the Health Ministry and related agencies failed to meet previously established standards for medical support, despite the airport being officially declared compliant in 2025.

Historical communications, including a 2019 letter from the Health Ministry to national leadership, warned of insufficient capabilities to manage on-site health emergencies, yet these concerns were not addressed. The auditor concluded that these lapses could endanger all airport visitors.

Financially, Ramon Airport incurs an annual loss of approximately NIS 274 million, totaling around NIS 1.4 billion in operational deficits since its inception, in addition to NIS 2 billion invested in construction. The airport was originally designed as a contingency alternative to Ben-Gurion Airport during wartime, but it currently handles up to 150 flights daily, compared to Ben-Gurions 400 flights.

In response, the Airports Authority stated it has established a central body to address the identified issues, while noting that many deficiencies highlighted in the report fall under the responsibilities of the Health Ministry, Magen David Adom, and the police.

Author: Sophia Brooks