Photographs have surfaced, showcasing the haunting remnants of Nicosia International Airport, which has remained abandoned for nearly 50 years. Once the main gateway to Cyprus, the airport now stands as a stark reminder of the island’s turbulent history, particularly the conflict that erupted in 1974.
Constructed in the 1930s as a Royal Air Force (RAF) base, the airport developed into a bustling civilian hub until it was severely damaged during a Turkish invasion. Following the conflict, a ceasefire led to its designation as a United Nations Protected Area, marking the beginning of its prolonged abandonment.
Decaying Infrastructure and Limited Access
Commercial operations at Nicosia International Airport ceased shortly after the invasion. In 1977, three Cyprus Airways aircraft stranded on the runway were evacuated, with assistance from British Airways engineers. Since then, the airport has remained largely untouched, a relic from a bygone era.
Inside the terminal, dusty seats linger where passengers once awaited flights, and promotional posters featuring idyllic vacation destinations have faded over decades. Nature has begun to reclaim the space, with pigeons nesting in the ceiling beams and silence dominating the once-busy environment.
Despite its desolation, Nicosia Airport is not entirely abandoned. It serves as the headquarters for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP), which operates helicopters from part of the facility. However, public access is highly restricted due to safety concerns and the airport’s deteriorated state, allowing only a few individuals to witness its decline firsthand.
Attempts at Revitalization and Digital Exploration
Over the years, there have been sporadic discussions regarding the potential for revitalizing the airport. In the 1990s and beyond, UN-led negotiations aimed at reopening the facility failed to yield results due to ongoing political disagreements.
Aleem Siddique, spokesperson for UNFICYP, stated, “It is actually frozen in time. Although there were several attempts over the years by the sides to reach an agreement to see the airport being reopened, the sides were unable to reach an agreement, so gradually the condition of the airport had deteriorated. No planes have left or arrived since 1974.”
In a bid to provide a glimpse into the past, the Cyprus Institute has created a digital reconstruction of the airport. The “NIC Platform” allows users to virtually explore the airport’s offices, duty-free shops, and boarding gates, capturing its eerie atmosphere in vivid detail.
One local resident, who lives a few kilometers from the airport, gained special authorization to visit the site. Reflecting on his experience, he expressed, “Being a local, and four years old when the invasion took place, I tell you, I was flooded with unfathomable emotions when I went in. It’s eerie. It’s emotional. It’s frustrating. It’s sad. Believe me, your mind can make you hear the noise of a buzzing airport, passengers and planes and announcements and all. It’s insane. This is a time freeze that should never have occurred.”
As Nicosia International Airport remains a ghostly reminder of the past, it highlights the profound impact of conflict on infrastructure and communities, leaving many to ponder what could have been.
