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Located not far west of Nicosia (the capital city of Cyprus) is a largely disused and abandoned airport that has been rotting and falling apart for half a century. It is known as Nicosia International Airport, and its history is one of intrigue and vicious conflict. Over time, the airport has been a testament to a fraught history, and many are now wondering whether the airport will ever return to its former glory.
But what were the events that led to the airport’s abandonment? Click through this gallery to find out.
Before its closure, Nicosia International Airport served as the primary airport for the island nation of Cyprus, handling both civilian and military flights. The airport was a critical transportation hub that linked Cyprus with major cities in Europe and the Middle East.
The airport was originally established in the 1930s by the British Royal Air Force during the colonial era. It served as an airstrip for military purposes during the Second World War, during which American bombers used the runway to return from Allied missions.
After the war, commercial services were introduced to the airport. In the 1960s, the building underwent significant expansions to accommodate the increasing air traffic. The modernization included a new terminal building, extended runways, and improved facilities, making it one of the most modern airports in the region at the time.
Due to its strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean, Nicosia International Airport became a critical asset during regional conflicts, including the Suez Crisis (1956, pictured) and the Cyprus Emergency (1955–1959). It was used by various military forces for logistics and operations.
Toward the end of 1963, inter-communal violence between Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking residents broke out across Cyprus. In response, the United Nations established a demilitarized zone (known as the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus) that essentially cut the island nation in half.
On July 15, 1974, right-wing Greek nationalists overthrew the democratically-elected president of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios (pictured). Nicosia Airport was closed for three days, during which troops were ferried from Greece to Cyprus in support of the nationalists.
When the airport finally opened again on July 18, tourists and foreign nationals flocked to the site in chaotic droves as they tried desperately to leave the country.
The biggest turning point for Nicosia International Airport came two days later, when Turkey invaded Cyprus and bombed the airport heavily. Cypriot forces and the national guard were able to defend it, but there was significant damage done to the airport’s infrastructure.
When a ceasefire was implemented a month later, the airport came under control of the United Nations, and the existing Buffer Zone in Cyprus was extended to include the airport. This required both Cypriot and Turkish forces to withdraw at least 1,600 feet (500 m) from the airport perimeter.
The last commercial flights to leave Nicosia Airport took place in 1977 under special authorization from the UN. The airport has been largely inoperable ever since.
Following Nicosia Airport’s closure, a new airport was opened to service the south of the island nation, while the northern half of Cyprus established Ercan International Airport approximately 12.5 miles (20 km) from Nicosia Airport.
Over time, Nicosia International Airport has fallen into a state of disrepair. With no flights and no maintenance, the once-bustling airport has become a ghostly relic of the past.
Even the terminal building of Nicosia International Airport, once a symbol of modernity, now stands as a haunting reminder of the conflict. Its windows are shattered, the interior is gutted, and the walls are covered in graffiti.
Despite the airport's abandonment, the main runway is still somewhat intact. It is occasionally used by the UN for limited operations, but it is far from its former glory.
The airport remains under the control of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The UN uses the airport as a base for its operations, but it does not facilitate any commercial flights or public access.
One of the only ways to view the abandoned airport now is through pictures taken by authorized photographers visiting the site. Pictures show a completely derelict zone that even features a plane rotting on the runway.
Cubicles once manned by border control forces now sit empty, gathering dust as time ticks on. The rest of the airport remains in similar condition, and recent years have seen the roof of the building threaten to collapse.
The airport’s waiting area, which was once bustling with tourists and travelers even in the days after the Turkish invasion, now lies in near-ruin.
Pictured here is the ruinous flight control deck at the airport. Surprisingly, many windows are still intact despite the condition of the overall area and buildings.
Nicosia International Airport has come to symbolize the division of Cyprus. As it stands frozen in time, it represents the island nation's unresolved political situation, while the derelict nature of the zone is a stark reminder of the consequences of conflict.
Despite its derelict state, Nicosia International Airport has attracted interest from tourists and historians alike. Some visitors are intrigued by the airport's history and its eerie atmosphere, although access is restricted due to its location in the UN Buffer Zone.
In recent years, the UN has taken some steps to preserve Nicosia International Airport as a historical site. While the focus is primarily on maintaining security and peace in the Buffer Zone, there is recognition of the airport's historical and symbolic value.
Nicosia International Airport can also be seen as a relic of the Cold War era, when Cyprus was a focal point of geopolitical tension. The airport's abandonment is a direct result of the broader global conflicts of that time.
Security is a constant issue at the abandoned Nicosia Airport. The area is heavily monitored by the UN to prevent unauthorized access, given its sensitive location within the Buffer Zone. This has only added to the airport's mystique.
According to international law, Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus is actually considered illegal. The divide between the north of the island and the south has been a matter of major contention, and the Republic of Turkey is the only nation in the world to recognize Northern Cyprus as a sovereign state.
Even the posters littered throughout the airport are a testament to the conflict that turned this once-bustling kingdom into a shell. The fading paper still advertising watches, shoes, and pizza are anachronistic reminders of a country’s broken legacy.
Over the years, there have been discussions about reopening Nicosia International Airport, particularly as part of peace negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, these talks have repeatedly stalled, and the airport remains closed to the public.
The future of Nicosia International Airport remains unclear. While there is hope that it could be reopened as part of a peace agreement, the current political deadlock suggests that the airport may remain abandoned for the foreseeable future, a relic of a divided past.
Sources: (Reuters) (The Independent) (Business Insider)
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HEALTH History
Located not far west of Nicosia (the capital city of Cyprus) is a largely disused and abandoned airport that has been rotting and falling apart for half a century. It is known as Nicosia International Airport, and its history is one of intrigue and vicious conflict. Over time, the airport has been a testament to a fraught history, and many are now wondering whether the airport will ever return to its former glory.
But what were the events that led to the airport’s abandonment? Click through this gallery to find out.