Nicosia Airport lies forgotten for half a century (17 photos + 1 video)
Once bustling, Nicosia Airport in Cyprus has become a symbol of a bygone era. An empty terminal, crumbling runways, and an abandoned Cyprus Airways jetliner. Since the 1970s, it has been a time capsule, preserving memories of the island's turbulent past. 
Despite the absence of several letters, the large airport sign remains legible. However, the only signs of life these days are pigeons cooing on the roof and the howling wind gusting through the broken windows.
Peeling billboards above the check-in counters promise to transport travelers "to the ends of the earth."
The departure lounge upstairs is empty. Dusty seats, reminiscent of those from old sci-fi films, are covered in pigeon droppings. 
A lone passenger plane is visible on the runway. Its fuselage is riddled with bullet holes. 
The airfield opened in the 1930s and was initially used as a Royal Air Force base, and during World War II, American bombers were based there.
By the 1950s and 1960s, it had become the island's main airport, even hosting Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor. However, it closed in 1974 due to the conflict between Cyprus and Turkey.
The last passenger planes departed the airport in 1977, with UN permission, when British Airways acquired three Cyprus Airways aircraft. 
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Last June marked the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The island was divided into two parts: Greek Cypriots live in the south, and Turkish Cypriots in the north.
Today, the airport is located in the UN buffer zone, and tourists are not allowed. But rare reports offer glimpses of its former grandeur and history. 
Control tower 
What remains of the baggage carousel
A representative of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus noted last year: "It's as if it's frozen in time. Although several attempts have been made over the years to negotiate the reopening and restoration of the airport, the parties have failed to reach an agreement. As a result, the facility's condition has deteriorated." 
The entrance to the main hall is blocked by barbed wire. wire 
A sign that says "Tips for Porters" Prohibited" 
