Top 10 abandoned airports around the world

Airports, once bustling with activity and serving as gateways to the world, can sometimes fall into disuse and become relics of the past.

Various factors contribute to the ceasing of operations at these once-vibrant hubs. Some struggle to generate sufficient profits, leading to their eventual closure, while others are forced to shut down due to international conflicts or changing geopolitical landscapes. Each abandoned airport carries with it a unique and captivating story, offering a glimpse into a different era.

Here are ten of the most fascinating abandoned airports around the world, each with a story that reflects the changing tides of aviation, economics, and politics.

1. Ciudad Real Central Airport, Spain:
Built in 2009 as an alternative to Madrid Barajas Airport, Ciudad Real Central Airport was designed to handle the overflow of passengers from Spain’s capital. However, the airport’s ambitious plans quickly unraveled. Low demand and high debt led to bankruptcy shortly after its opening, leaving the airport deserted. Today, the facility has found new life as a maintenance and storage site for aircraft, though its terminals remain eerily silent.

2. Berlin Tempelhof Airport, Germany:
One of Europe’s oldest airports and a symbol of Germany’s rich aviation history, Berlin Tempelhof was once the heart of air travel in Berlin. After ceasing operations, the airport took on a new role as a popular filming location for movies. Today, Tempelhof has been repurposed into a vast public park, where locals enjoy open spaces, and it has also served as a temporary refugee camp, showcasing its adaptability even in abandonment.

3. Ellinikon International Airport, Greece:
Also known as Hellinikon, this airport was once the main gateway to Athens, with over 13 million passengers passing through in its final year of operation in 2001. After closing, the terminal stood empty for years. However, during the 2004 Athens Olympics, parts of the airport were transformed into sporting venues, hosting events like canoe slalom, field hockey, baseball, and softball.

4. Kai Tak International Airport, Hong Kong:
Kai Tak was one of the most iconic airports in the world, famous for its challenging landings amidst the dense urban landscape of Hong Kong. Despite its legendary status, the airport was closed in 1998 due to overcrowding and safety concerns. The former airport site has since been redeveloped into a bustling cruise ship terminal, marking a new chapter in the area’s history.

5. Manston Airport, England:
Manston Airport, once a key player in the UK’s aviation sector, struggled under private ownership, losing over USD 139 million in 16 years. Unable to sustain its operations, the airport closed in 2014. In recent years, the site has been repurposed for an unusual use: parking trucks caught in post-Brexit traffic jams, a stark contrast to its original purpose.

6. Nicosia International Airport, Cyprus:
Once the most important airport in Cyprus, Nicosia International ceased operations in 1974 during the Turkish invasion. The airport was abandoned and now lies in a no-man’s land between Greek and Turkish forces, with neither side allowed access. The decaying runways and buildings serve as a haunting reminder of the island’s divided history.

7. Jaisalmer Airport, India:
Built with the intention of boosting tourism in the region, Jaisalmer Airport was set to open in 2013 after the government invested USD 17 million in its construction. However, due to low demand, airlines chose not to introduce regular flights, leaving the airport underutilized. Today, it serves primarily as a military base, opening to civilians only during the winter tourist season.

8. Johnston Atoll Airport, Pacific Ocean:
Located on a remote military base and chemical weapons disposal site in the Pacific, Johnston Atoll Airport was closed in 2005. The island, now part of a National Wildlife Refuge, is off-limits to the public. Nature has slowly begun to reclaim the airstrip, erasing the traces of its military past.

9. Yasser Arafat International Airport, Palestine:
Opened in 1998, Yasser Arafat International was intended to symbolize sovereignty and hope for the Palestinian people. However, during the Palestinian Intifada, the airport was heavily damaged and was forced to close in 2002. Since then, the site has been looted, with valuable equipment stolen, leaving behind only the shell of what was meant to be a beacon of independence.

10. Floyd Bennett Field, USA:
Once New York City’s first municipal airport, Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn opened in 1931 and later became a naval air station. Decommissioned in 1971, the site is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Visitors can explore the historic hangars and runways, where the echoes of the past still resonate.