Ovda was originally built and opened as a military airbase in 1981 and was joint-used as a civilian airport a year later but ceased handling civilian flights on 31 March 2019 thanks to the opening of Ramon Airport, which is located much closer to the city of Eilat than Ovda.

[2] Previously all charter flights from Europe had landed at Etzion, however this was one of four airports in the Sinai that were handed over to Egypt as part of the Camp David Accords.

The runway at Ovda also allowed long range flights to take off for any European destination without the need to refuel.

[3] On 23 July 2014 after the temporary stoppage of international air traffic to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, due to rocket fire on Israeli cities from Gaza,[4] Ovda Airport was opened to accept all international traffic.

[8] The fact that the co-located military facilities provide security as well as existing aircraft maintenance capabilities in the area were pointed to as favorable location factors in addition to the dry desert climate which limits corrosion.