Directions to Nicosia Airport

carollynne


Joined: 19/11/2009
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 07:53

Is there any way you can see the old Nicosia Airport from the road (north or south) if so, has anyone any directions please.



TIA



Carollynne

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 08:42

A friend of mine from Holland and I have been there recently as journalists/guests of the UNFICYP Press Office - we were allowed to photograph inside and outside the buildings etc. We also made so-called 360 degrees movies - the result is stunning! I'll put the pics and movies on a CD and make it available for anyone interested. Mail me, so I will know how many CD's I have to make, at: hansdoeleman@allcrusades.com .

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 08:48

Thats very good of you Hans but are you able to give her directions aswell.



Cooper

carollynne


Joined: 19/11/2009
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 08:53

Thank you Hans, I did do a search and saw your posts from December. As cooper says any directions



Carollynne

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 09:24

RE msg 3 & 4: (...) are you able to give her directions aswell. (...)

=> Yes, Mr. Cooper, Sir! I planned to make a location map of the buildings etc on Nicosia International Airport already (this evening) and I'll write the exact directions to NIC on this board also. Too busy now with my reading about Richard the Lionheart this afternoon. OK? But as far as I know and remember you can't see much of NIC from the road. The place is fenced, with bushes all around it and at the entrance are UNFICYP guards.

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 12:35

As Hans says; directions are superfluous as permission is needed to go there.



If you're a golfer and know the right people you can get in.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 13:11

Some while ago Hans published the videos and they were interesting - what would be a great addition would would be some description and historical notes as most of us know next to nothing about that part of the history.



I think Hans also introduced us to the documentary information of a gentelman who was station manager there for one of airlines the around '74.

Enrico


Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 209

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 14:05

Try looking for it on "Google Earth"

Enrico


Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 209

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 14:11

I should have added the co-ordinates.

They are 33 degrees 09' 02.50" N by 33 degrees 17' 00. 36" E

carollynne


Joined: 19/11/2009
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 14:15

Thanks to all who have replied. I have googled it, but it looks like its in the middle of nowhere (which it probably is) but I just can't find a road which runs past it. If I knew where I was heading for I'd be ok lol



Maybe the only way is satnav haha!

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 22:39

Hi all,



I previously gave directions to Hans when he was planning his visit.



The easiest (and safest) way to visit Nicosia Airport or the UN Protected Area (UNPA) is via south Nicosia. Pass through the Mehmetin/Ayios Dhometios crossing. Keep the horse racing track on your left and go straight ahead for about a K and a Half. At the T junction turn right. Half a K later you will come to a roundabout with the "Grove of the Missing", taking the second exit go up the hill and the entry to the UNPA is only two hundred meters further.



The UN will arrange guided tours of the airport by prior contact, or if you have old UN or Brit Military ID they will probably let you in on your own. WARNING Moving around certain parts can be dangerous as both the GC National Guard and the Turkish (not TC) maintain forces around the airport and they can be sensitive to non-UN activity.



One of the best bits is that the NAAFI will sell you whatever you want once you are in!



Good Luck



DD

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/02/2010 23:27

hey dub now the irish are coming do you think i would stand any chance of getting into the naffi. is that still operational then. Jokes aside do you have contact numbers for the un. My dad was in the royal enniskillens based here in 1956. I would love to see around espicially as Im ex cabin crew and my dads history. Are you in Ireland now or here. God what I would love to be back in the ould country xx

carollynne


Joined: 19/11/2009
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 06:36

Many thanks DD

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 13:18

Hi Lilli,



I am in wet and dreary Dublin. -2 Degrees and between showers.



A friend who served with the UN with me in 97/98 just turned up at the gate of the UNPA and showed her old ID card and they just waved her through. She said the same people she knew were working in the NAAFI and just checked out her purchases as normal. The prices are not particularly cheap versus down town North or South Nicosia but they do have some products that are hard to source outside.



I do not have the current phone numbers, but I am sure you can get them at Ledra Palace or other locations. Visits to the UNPA were commonplace and not usually supervised. As mentioned in a previous posting people visit to play golf and some TC soccer teams do their regular training on the pitches there. So a visit should not be too hard to arrange.





Con...

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 13:25

Con...



As a bit of history, it is the only location where the Irish Defence Forces and the British Military saw active service together. They were armed and went into action to prevent the Turkish Army taking over what was then RAF Nicosia. They came under fire from both sides during the events of July 74. After a few tense days the TF agreed to the airport being designated a protected area, hence UNPA.



My kids used to spend hours playing around the old airport while their mother learned how to drive on the runways and taxiways. The wrecked aircraft was also a source of great fun.



Good Luck!



DD

juliamoons



Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 849

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 13:41

Hey Lıllı

My Dad was ın the Grenadıer Guards and we were here ın 1956 as well. We lived in Famagusta, whilst Dad was helping to keep the peace in Nicosia. Also, I have a British/Cyprus passport from that time.



Julia

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 16:38

Maps with directions to Nicosia International Airport here: http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/30539.asp

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 16:54

Thanks DD. all this history still amazes me. Julia how much of a coincidence is that we lived in Famagusta in 56. small world . Take care xxxx