Nicosia International Airport was once the main airport for the island of Cyprus, but has now been derelict for nearly forty years. Principally used as the headquarters of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, the commercial flight area has lain empty since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
(Image: Dickelbers, cc-sa-3.0)
As these eerie photos show, the customer waiting areas, restaurant and check-in services have been left exactly as they were, covered in debris from the wreckage of the invasion.
(Images: Dickelbers, Gustavobw; cc-sa-3.0)
The abandoned terminal was designated a United Nations Protected Area during the conflict, with both sides required to withdraw at least 500 metres from the perimeter of the airport. After the ceasefire, the surrounding area was designated a Buffer Zone between the nations of Cyprus and Turkey, ending the commercial airport’s effective service life.
(Image: Dickelbers, cc-sa-3.0)
Several other airports have opened in Cyprus since, reducing the need for the former transport hub to be restored. Plans have been suggested for Nicosia Airport to be opened under UN control, however neither the Greek nor Turkish Cypriots have pursued this to date.
(Image: Cyprus Gallery, cc-sa-3.0)
Some of the commercial planes were flown out of the area in 1977, however there are many abandoned vehicles at the site of the former airport. Time and weather have caused deterioration of the building and the rusting aircraft, including an Avro Shackleton and Hawker Siddeley Trident. However, the site remains largely as it was on the day of its closure – frozen in time.
Keep reading – browse more articles by Sarah, and check out this collection of Abandoned Aircraft, Airfields and Airport Terminals across the world.
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