Photographs have unveiled the haunting interiors of Nicosia International Airport, which has remained deserted for nearly 50 years. Once a bustling gateway for travel in Cyprus, the airport now stands as a somber monument to the island’s turbulent past. Originally established in the 1930s as a Royal Air Force base, it evolved into the primary civilian airport for the region, facilitating both commercial and military operations.
The airport’s decline began following the Turkish invasion in 1974, which turned the area into a battleground. Extensive damage occurred during fierce fighting, leading to the establishment of a ceasefire and designating the site as a United Nations Protected Area. Although commercial flights continued briefly after the conflict, operations fully ceased by 1977, when three Cyprus Airways aircraft were evacuated with the help of British Airways engineers.
The Silent Terminal and Its Ghostly Remains
Today, the terminal building is a time capsule of decay. Dust-covered seats fill the once-busy waiting areas, and faded promotional posters advertise idyllic vacations now only a memory. The echoes of past hustle and bustle have been replaced by the sounds of nature, as pigeons nest in the rafters. Outside, a weathered frame of a Hawker Siddeley Trident sits on the airfield, stripped of its engine components long ago.
Despite the airport’s desolation, it is not entirely abandoned. The UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) operates from part of the facility, utilizing helicopters for various missions. Public access remains restricted due to safety concerns and the airport’s deteriorating condition. Only a select few have been granted entry to witness the airports’ forlorn state firsthand.
Attempts at Revival and Virtual Exploration
There have been sporadic discussions about reviving the airport since the 1990s, but political disagreements have hindered progress. According to Aleem Siddique, spokesperson for UNFICYP, “Although there were several attempts over the years by the sides to reach an agreement… 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 an effort to preserve the airport’s legacy, the Cyprus Institute has created a digital reconstruction that allows virtual visitors to explore the airport’s offices, duty-free shops, and boarding gates. This initiative provides a glimpse into what once was, capturing the eerie atmosphere of the site.
One local resident, who received special authorization to visit, shared his emotional experience. “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 continues to stand in silence, it serves as a poignant reminder of a divided past and the ongoing struggle for unity on the island.
