Abandoned airport waiting area with dirty seats.
Share this @internewscast.com

INCREDIBLE PHOTOS showcase the haunting ruins of an abandoned airport in a popular vacation destination, where aircraft have been decaying on the runway for half a century.

The once-bustling transport hub Nicosia International Airport, Cyprus, now stands as a haunting relic – completely frozen in time.

Abandoned airport waiting area with dirty seats.
Empty seats covered in debris in the departures loungeCredit: Getty – Contributor
Derelict airplane on an airfield.
A decaying and abandoned passenger plane still sits on the tarmacCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Derelict airport control tower.
The abandoned control tower has sat empty for decadesCredit: Getty – Contributor

Harrowing images show the abandoned terminal, decaying runways, and even aircraft that have been left untouched for decades.

Nicosia International Airport, initially established in the 1920s as a Royal Air Force base, was significant during World War II, functioning as an important stop for both military and civilian flights.

And by the 1950s and 1960s, it had become a major gateway for tourists, even attracting Hollywood celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor.

But in 1974, conflict between Greek and Turkish forces led to its destruction and, later, abandonment.

The airport was officially closed to commercial flights following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving it to rot from there on.

In 1977, the final commercial flights departed from Nicosia Airport under the authorization of the United Nations, as British Airways engineers managed to rescue three stranded Cyprus Airways planes and flew them back to London.

Now the airport lies within a United Nations Protected Area and remains largely off-limits to the public.

But this hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting the site with its decayed grandeur and historical significance.

Ben, 31, who posts adventure content online, went to the airport alone to show its haunting remains.

He said: “I wanted to explore this for about three years.

Interior of an abandoned building with a gridded ceiling and round lights.
The health control area in the main terminal building at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportCredit: Getty – Contributor
Interior of an abandoned cafe with a sign that reads "Καφεστιατοριον Cafe".
A sign leads to an empty cafe inside the main terminalCredit: Getty
A sign reading Tipping porters not allowed still stands in the foyer
A sign reading ‘tipping porters not allowed’ still stands in the foyer

“I decided to go and see it because, obviously, it’s a very interesting historical site.

“I’d seen pictures of it, and I wanted to see it in person.”

Ben described the site as a chilling time capsule, largely untouched since the 1970s.

He added: “The most amazing thing about it was it’s obviously been untouched since 1974.

“I’ve never explored an abandoned airport before, and the fact that it still had planes there was crazy.

“It was like a real-life time capsule. Hardly anybody ever gets to see it, and that’s just amazing.”

The haunting images serve as a stark reminder of Cyprus’s divided history, with the airport standing as a ghostly monument to a conflict that reshaped the island.

Despite its eerie silence, Nicosia International Airport remains a powerful symbol of the past.

A stairway covered in barbed wire leads to the former visitor's restaurant and terrace
A stairway covered in barbed wire leads to the former visitor’s restaurant and terrace
A broken window looks through to the former baggage claim hall
A broken window looks through to the former baggage claim hall
The main terminal, with no cars or passengers outside the front
The main terminal, with no cars or passengers outside the front
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Iranian sleeper cells may be hiding 'in plain sight' waiting to target rural US areas, terrorism expert warns

Terrorism Expert Warns of Potential Iranian Sleeper Cells in Rural US Areas

A counterterrorism expert says that Iranian sleeper cells may be hiding “in…
Trump imposes new 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea

Trump announces new 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea

Trump’s moves have raised fears that economic growth would slow to a…
Car similar to Bryan Kohberger's seen near victims' home multiple times just before alleged killings: Report

Idaho Killer Bryan Kohberger’s Past Friends Explore His Motives for the Crime

Idaho student killer Bryan Kohberger’s former friends from Pennsylvania and a classmate…
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac rails against MetLife Stadium grass

Dortmund Coach Niko Kovac Criticizes MetLife Stadium Turf

The complaints about the MetLife Stadium field are unrelenting. German soccer club…
Close-up photo of a woman with severe facial injuries.

Beauty Influencer Left ‘Disfigured’ Following Terrifying Home Invasion Involving Assault, Binding, and Bleach Dousing

A WOMAN was left “disfigured” after three men allegedly broke into her…
A worker cleaning the hull of a large yacht.

Ferrari is creating a 100-foot yacht that can glide above the water without an engine

FERRARI is building a 100ft yacht that is able to “fly” over…
University of Alabama student 1 of 2 killed in Florida crash over Fourth of July weekend

University of Alabama Student Among Two Fatalities in Florida Crash During Fourth of July Weekend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Two people from Alabama died in a wreck…
Clovis woman Alyssa Kincaid battles stage 4 lymphoma cancer after symptoms while five months pregnant in California

Clovis Resident Alyssa Kincaid Faces Stage 4 Lymphoma During Pregnancy

CLOVIS, Calif. — A Clovis woman is facing a life-threatening diagnosis while…
Trump and Netanyahu may take a victory lap on Iran, but the Gaza war looms over their meeting

While Trump and Netanyahu might celebrate their stance on Iran, the ongoing conflict in Gaza casts a shadow over their discussions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump might look…
The attitude Nets' quintet of rookies are bringing as they begin to jell

The Emerging Cohesion and Spirit of the Nets’ Rookie Quintet

While it’s too early to officially name the Nets’ extraordinary lineup as…
Reverend boyfriend of ex-Houston mayoral appointee who went on Camp Mystic tirade condemns her comments

Pastor Condemns Remarks Made by Former Houston Mayoral Appointee After Her Camp Mystic Outburst

The reverend partner of a former appointee to the Houston mayor’s office,…
Two Pokémon card fanatics arrested over stabbing in line at California GameStop

Two Avid Pokémon Card Collectors Arrested for Stabbing Incident While Waiting at California GameStop

Two men were detained and another was hurt after the suspects allegedly…