Step into the eerie world of Nicosia International Airport frozen in time for over 50 years. Located about 10 kilometers west of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, lies the haunting remnants of Nicosia International Airport. Its bustling days of commercial flights abruptly ended after the Turkish invasion of 1974.
Originally constructed in the 1930s, this site served as the main Royal Air Force station in the country until it closed its doors for good. Now, it stands silently, bearing witness to decades of history, with its interiors offering a glimpse into a bygone era.
The airport’s setup was simple, with three huts serving as the main terminal housing various services like Customs, Immigration, Civil Aviation, Signals, Traffic, and Operational Services. During World War II, the site and runway were expanded to meet wartime demands.
In the years 1943-1944, the runway saw action as American bombers used it on their return from missions targeting the Romanian oil fields. After the war, efforts were made to revive commercial operations, leading to further expansion of the airport. By 1948, airlines like Misrair, BOAC, Cyprus Airways, and MEA were all operating flights out of Nicosia.
Despite these efforts, the airport saw its final commercial flights departing in 1977, authorized by the United Nations (UN) under special circumstances. This marked the end of an era as the airport soon became a battleground during the conflict between Cypriot and Turkish forces following the Turkish invasion.
In August 1974, a ceasefire agreement led to Nicosia Airport being incorporated into the UN-controlled Buffer Zone, aiming to keep apart the two communities in Cyprus.
Today, Nicosia Airport sits largely deserted. It serves as the headquarters for the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus, housing UN helicopters and providing recreational amenities for UN personnel.
Recent images reveal the airport’s haunting ambiance, featuring an abandoned plane deteriorating on the runway and dust settling in the waiting areas. Once bustling with travelers, including notable figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot, the airport now bears the scars of conflict, with shrapnel scattered across its dusty grounds.
The border force cubicles, once bustling with personnel, now stand empty, reflecting the abandoned Duty Free Shop near airport security.
Located strategically in the East Mediterranean, Cyprus boasts a history marked by occupation by various powers over the centuries, including the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, and Romans.
According to international law, Turkey’s presence and control over Cyprus are considered unlawful. Presently, only the Republic of Turkey recognizes Northern Cyprus as an independent sovereign state. Under UN regulations, Northern Cyprus is recognized as part of the territory belonging to the Republic of Cyprus but remains under Turkish occupation.
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