10 abandoned airports that were left behind

Abandoned airports, once bustling hubs of activity, now stand as silent reminders of a bygone era in aviation history. These deserted airfields, scattered across the globe, offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, where the roar of jet engines has given way to eerie silence and nature's slow reclamation.
From the iconic Tempelhof Airport in Berlin to the haunting remains of Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, each of these locations tells a unique story of changing times, economic shifts, and the evolution of air travel.Explore ten of the most intriguing abandoned airports around the world.

Berlin Tempelhof airport, Germany
Berlin Tempelhof Airport was one of Europe’s oldest airports and a symbol of Germany’s aviation history. It played a significant role during the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49. Despite its historical significance, Tempelhof was closed in 2008 due to financial losses and is now a public park and events venue.
Nicosia International airport, Cyprus
Once the main airport of Cyprus, Nicosia International was abandoned in 1974 after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The airport is now located in a United Nations Buffer Zone and remains a time capsule of 1970s airport design, frozen in time and off-limits to the public.
Ellinikon International airport, Greece
Ellinikon International Airport served as Athens' primary airport for six decades before it was closed in 2001 to make way for the new Athens International Airport. The site, which also hosted events during the 2004 Olympics, is now slated for redevelopment but remains largely abandoned.
Johnston Atoll Airport, Pacific Ocean
Johnston Atoll, a remote military base and chemical weapons disposal site in the Pacific, included an airport that was closed in 2005. The island, now part of a National Wildlife Refuge, is off-limits to the public, and the airstrip is slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Yasser Arafat International Airport, Gaza Strip
Built with the hope of boosting the Palestinian economy, Yasser Arafat International opened in 1998 but was severely damaged by Israeli forces in 2001 during the Second Intifada. The airport has been abandoned since, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong
Famous for its challenging approach over Hong Kong’s skyscrapers, Kai Tak Airport was one of the world’s most iconic airports until it was closed in 1998. The airport was replaced by the modern Hong Kong International Airport, and the site of Kai Tak is now being redeveloped into a new urban area.
Stapleton International Airport, USA
Once the primary airport serving Denver, Colorado, Stapleton International was replaced by Denver International Airport in 1995. The site of the former airport has been redeveloped into a residential area, but remnants of the old runways and control towers remain.
Galeville airport, USA
Located in New York, Galeville Airport was originally built as a military airfield during World War II. It was later used by the New York Air National Guard but was closed in the 1990s. The site is now part of a wildlife refuge, with the runways serving as paths for birdwatchers.
Ciudad Real Central airport, Spain
Ciudad Real Central Airport was one of Spain’s most ambitious projects, built in the hopes of becoming a major hub. However, the airport fell into bankruptcy shortly after opening in 2009 due to low demand and high debt. It remains abandoned, with only occasional flights landing for maintenance purposes.
Floyd Bennett Field, USA
Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York, was the city’s first municipal airport, opening in 1931. It later became a naval air station and was decommissioned in 1971. The site is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, where visitors can explore the historic hangars and runways.
Also read:|10 highest paid leaders in the world: From Joe Biden to Fumio Kishida