The precursor of Ercan Airport, Tymbou Airport, was constructed by the
British in
World War II as a military airport, during
their colonial rule of the island. Following the
Turkish invasion of 1974 and the partition of the island, it was taken over by the
Turkish army, and today is used as the main civilian airport of Northern Cyprus. It is named after . Since 2006, the rule which stipulates that flights are required to touch down at a Turkish airport before continuing to and from Ercan has been under discussion. In 2006, the
Turkish government began discussions for Northern Cyprus' main port of
Famagusta, and main civilian airport Ercan, to be able to operate direct connections, with the
UK government describing it as a "significant and creative offer". However, , the rule still applies, and Ercan airport has seen a decrease in customers, In 2021, the new terminal was under construction, planned to be much larger than the existing airport and to have 9 airbridges. The new terminal and extended runway were opened on 20 July 2023, after delays, with a power outage less than 12 hours after the opening. The first flight to the new terminal was made by
Turkish President,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan. ==Airlines and destinations==