15 Abandoned Airports Worldwide

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Airports are known for their constant activity—passengers rushing to catch flights, planes taking off and landing, and the hum of transportation connecting people worldwide. However, not all airports continue to thrive. Some once bustling hubs have been left to deteriorate into eerie ruins. In this article, we explore 15 abandoned airports around the world.

Nicosia International Airport, Cyprus

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Nicosia International Airport was once Cyprus’ largest airport, being the main gateway to the country. However, it was abandoned in 1974 after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving it in the U.N.-controlled buffer zone between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Today, it stands frozen in time.

Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong

Barbara Ann Spengler/Wikimedia Commons

Famous for its heart-stopping landing approach through the mountains and skyscrapers of Hong Kong, Kai Tak Airport closed in 1998 due to operational inefficiencies. It was replaced by the newer and larger Chek Lap Kok Airport. Today, the former airport site has been partially redeveloped as a cruise terminal.

Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, Germany

Denis Apel/Wikimedia Commons

Tempelhof Airport was once a symbol of Berlin’s resilience, particularly during the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49, when it played a key role in keeping West Berlin supplied. Despite its historical significance, it was closed in 2008 due to declining passenger numbers. The sprawling complex now serves as a public park.

Ellinikon International Airport, Athens, Greece

Dennis David Auger/Wikimedia Commons

Ellinikon was Athens’s primary airport from 1938 to 2001. It was closed after the construction of the new Athens International Airport. Later, a large portion of the airport was made into a stadium and sports facilities for the 2004 Olympic Games. Currently, there are several developments ongoing on the site.

Montreal Mirabel Airport, Montreal, Canada

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Once envisioned as the world’s largest airport, Montreal Mirabel opened in 1975 but quickly faced challenges. Its remote location and poor transportation options deterred passengers and airlines. By 2004, it ceased passenger operations, and its terminal was eventually demolished in 2014.

Ciudad Real Central Airport, Spain

kallerna/Wikimeia Commons

Ciudad Real Central Airport opened in 2008 as a grand project, but it quickly became a symbol of Spain’s economic troubles. Poor planning and lack of demand led to its closure just three years later. The futuristic terminal, which was designed to handle millions of passengers, now stands abandoned.

Croydon Airport, London, UK

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Once the world’s first purpose-built international airport, Croydon Airport served as London’s main airport until it closed in 1959. Advances in aviation outgrew the small site, and Heathrow took over as the city’s primary airport. Today, Croydon’s terminal building still stands, preserved as a Grade II listed structure and an aviation museum.

Yasser Arafat International Airport, Gaza Strip

Gisha Access/Wikimedia Commons

Yasser Arafat International Airport was once a symbol of hope for Palestinian independence, opening in 1998 with the support of international governments. However, it was heavily destroyed by Israeli forces in 2001 during the Second Intifada, and today, the airport lies in ruins. 

Stapleton International Airport, Denver, USA

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Formerly located in Denver, Colorado, it was the main airport serving the city from its opening in 1929 until its closure in 1995. After its closure, Stapleton’s facilities were gradually demolished. The site has since been redeveloped into a mixed-use community known as Stapleton, featuring residential areas, parks, and commercial spaces.

W.H. Bramble Airport, Montserrat

Tom Gidden Gid/Wikimedia Commons

Once the primary gateway to the island of Montserrat, it was a bustling hub until disaster struck in the form of a volcanic eruption. In 1995, the Soufrière Hills volcano began erupting, and by 1997, much of the island’s capital and southern region, including the airport, was covered by layers of volcanic ash and debris

Floyd Bennett Field, New York, USA

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Floyd Bennett Field was New York City’s first municipal airport, opening in 1931. It was used by both civilian and army aviation until it was decommissioned after World War II. Today, it forms part of the National Park Service, and while no longer an active airport, it is used for various activities such as police training.

Tegel Airport, Berlin, Germany

Sami Mlouhi/Wikimedia Commons

Known as Flughafen Berlin-Tegel “Otto Lilienthal,” it was the primary international airport serving Berlin, Germany, from its opening in 1960 until its official closure in 2020. This came following the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which was intended to consolidate air traffic for the region.

Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, USA

D Ramey Logan/Wikimedia Commons

Once a bustling military air station, El Toro served the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 until its closure in 1999 as part of military downsizing. While parts of the airfield have been redeveloped, much of the base remains abandoned, including hangars and airstrips. The site has even been used as a filming set.

Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, Austin, Texas, USA

WhisperToMe/Wikimedia Commons

It was Austin’s main airport for over six decades, opening in 1928 and serving until its closure in 1999. The decision to close the airport came as Austin outgrew the facility, and the need for a larger airport became apparent. Robert Mueller’s inability to expand led to the opening of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Meigs Field, Chicago, USA

David Wilson/Wikimedia Commons

Meigs Field, located on a man-made peninsula in Lake Michigan, was once a scenic airport serving general aviation. It closed abruptly in 2003 when Chicago’s mayor ordered its runways destroyed in the middle of the night, citing security concerns. Today, the former airport site is part of Northerly Island Park.  

Written by Lucas M