Following the Turkish invasion, the airport was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting between Cypriot and Turkish forces, which led the United Nations Security Council to declare it a United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) during the conflict.
After the Turkish invasion, the airport became the focal point of fierce fighting between Cypriot and Turkish troops. This led the United Nations Security Council to establish it as a United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) during the conflict.