[NICOSIA] A visit to Nicosia International Airport (UNFICYP)

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 18:27

This week two Dutch journalists, photographer Bo de Visser and myself (plus my wife), were guests of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. We were allowed to visit every place inside and outside we wanted on the abandoned Nicosia International Airport (in the bufferzone). It was a spooky experience. My friend and colleague Bo de Visser made hundreds of pictures including many 360 degrees photos. The result is stunning.

I'll send some of the pictures for all to see to Malcolm Channing who will upload them on the site "North Cyprus Free Press" | http://www.northcyprusfreepress.com/ |

Not much text is needed, but if you want to know the story of this abandoned airport before you see the photographs - have a look here | http://is.gd/5gYtr |

Proof that I was there | http://is.gd/5gYyv |

A big thank you to the officials of the UNFICYP Public Information Department, who did their utmost to please us!

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 18:33

Hans, You lucky bugger! What an Experience that must have been.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 18:38

Anyone one here flown from Nicosia, I did in 1964?????????

FatgrumpyB


Joined: 11/03/2009
Posts: 48

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 18:47

I flew between UK & Nicosia airport 6 times between 1961 & 1964

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 20:30

Hopefully you noticed the golf course.

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 20:51

My family lived in Nicosia for 20 years till 1959. Nicosia airport was in use most of that time and of course beyond. Started off with just a few nissen huts for staff & passengers. Cyprus Airways began its life there. In the 'old days' we flew mostly BEA back to the UK but BOAC also in operation. Last time I was actually there (waiting for a friend to arrive) was in l973.

MUSIN M


Joined: 26/06/2008
Posts: 1352

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 21:26

dc



that sign brings back some memories ,my mum used to wake me up just as we were about

to land and as i opened my eyes ,there it was all lit up nicosia international airport.



i was olympic airways in them days.





musin



long live the kktc

Windycorner


Joined: 27/12/2008
Posts: 77

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 21:28

Flew from Nicosia in December 1960 in a Viscount to UK via Athens and Geneva Returning in January 1961 in a Comet non stop

Cruella


Joined: 16/05/2008
Posts: 63

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 22:12

Hi DC



I used to live at 9 School Road at RAF Nicosia in 1974, It was the semi detached bugalow next to the Church ajacent to the path down to the NAFFI shop, which was about 200 yards from the Airport. Everytime we go to Nicosia I wish I could visit my old house.



Regards Cruella

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 22:15

Hans, Does Bo de visser have a website that these photos may be on?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 09:22

RE msg 10, Tootie: All Nicosia International Airport pictures (panorama and 360 degrees) will be on a web site, together with many other "abandoned buildings and places in Europe" (by the way quite a few in the UK). Bo de Visser does the pics, I do the text.

In the mean time you may be interested to see that the Girne bypass "is almost ready again"... Click this URL and be patient till 1: you see the 360 degree photograph on your screen. 2: Click the picture and keep your right mouse button pressed 3: move the cursor slowly tot the right, left, top or bottom. (4: to study a detail release the mouse button). Please note that this is a lo res photo - the original is much better. http://is.gd/5hANS

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 09:27

RE "Nicosia International Airport": I'll send pano's and 360 degrees to Malcolm Channing (NCFP) today, so watch his web site if you're interested. http://www.northcyprusfreepress.com/

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 09:34

RE my msg 11: I'm interested to learn if my explanation in msg 11 (how to watch a 360 degree picture) is clear enough (limited knowledge of the English language...). Serious now: I appreciate reactions here. Thank you.

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 10:08

Hans. Re Msg 11. Instructions quite clear, except it's the left mouse button. Great photo.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 10:11

Thank you ianwfs! Confusion about the mouse button: I had to guess for PC users, because my Mac mouse has only one button... Thanks again.

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 10:19

I flew in and out of Nicosia airport many times in the early 70s, including flying to Ankara. Have since visited the airport for UN medal parades in the 80s and 90s. I also have an interesting collection of photographs of the airport, it is like a ghost town.

MarkVPiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 10:29

Great stuff Dutch - thanks for taking the time



Mark

NCMan



Joined: 19/09/2009
Posts: 670

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 11:00

Nice one Dutch i to was there with the UN in 1971- 1974 during the intervention- 1976 & again in 1984.

I was based in the Airport Camp accross the road from the airport.

I still go there occasionaly for a memory kick.

dozza67


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 607

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 12:46

I also lived (on the patch) and worked for the UN in 1981-1983. I would love to go back and see everything, I had a very happy 2 years there. I doubt if they would let me have a wander round though.

magalan


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 227

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 21:32

My wife Maggie flew in and out of Nicosia more times than she can remember during her 5 years as a BEA stewardess. Due to the limited frequency of the flights, the trips were of either 4 days - depart Fri return Monday, or 5 days - depart Monday, return Friday - tough old life!!



She usually managed to return overloaded with 5 litre bottles of Keo - I'm surprised I can remember that!!