For millions of people an airport is the gateway to a nation, the first and sometimes only impression many passengers gain of the country.

Interior design is a key feature of airports and the massive scale of the building requires an emphatic design statement.

More and more passenger terminal buildings have to mix the needs of the commercial opportunities derived from shopping malls, hotels and entertainment facilities with the needs to create an informative and pleasant environment for passengers.

Major airports across the region are spending a total of over $60 billion for expansion and upgrading the facilities that include making the airport more metropolitan, featuring entertainment areas and green spaces in addition to gift shops and food courts.

A lot of money has gone into the interior designs of airports like the new Dubai International Airport (DIA) and the Sham El-Sheikh in Egypt to make them aesthetic, functional and secure.

While Dubai airport space will exude a sense of spacious airiness and will combine the best in terms of design, people movement areas, retail and rest and relaxation, the Sharm El-Sheikh merges form and function besides reflecting the mountainous desert landscape and the famed marine life of the Red Sea.

The new DIA, in the throes of receiving its final touches before it opens doors as an important gateway to the Middle East, is all set to offer greater levels of comfort and convenience that will suit both the image of a modern airport and serve the requirements of the modern traveller. When complete in 2008, DIA is expected to handle 40 million passengers per year by 2010. Peak hour traffic is 13,500 passengers per hour. The system has to be designed for continuous operation 24 hours a day, 365 days.

“The entire feel of the airport is modern and with just a few Arabic details we are all set to create a space that is even better in some ways from the earlier Sheikh Rashid Terminal. Interior landscaping that offers collective green spaces will add to the ambience and create an atmosphere that invites travellers to relax,” says director for engineering and projects, Khalifa Al Zaffin.

“We have retained Khuan Chew Architects, (KCA) as the consultants to design the interiors for Concourse 1 and 2 as well as the First and Business Class Lounges for Emirates Airlines,” he said.

One of the major interiors finishing contractors is Depa Dubai, who has a Dh50-million ($13.6 million) deal to oversee and fit out the facility from floor to ceiling.

“The interiors of the lobbies at the New Dubai Airport are in true Khuan Chew style and embrace a hue-mix of finishes and materials in glass, wood and textures. It will exude a modern feel but with a touch of fusion to enhance the Islamic feel,” says Nadim Ikhrass, project manager, Depa.

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Given the heavy footfall expected in all the areas, he says, proper attention on quality is of utmost importance.

Less than 190 days are left to project handover, and work on these areas is on in full swing. “The first class lounge covers 18,000 sq m and the designers specs include the best in terms of quality of material,” says Ikhrass.

When complete, the lounge will offer private single-occupancy bedrooms with shower facilities for passengers facing extended layovers.

When complete both the business and first class lounges will offer a chockfull of facilities.

Features like 42-inch plasma televisions, 24-hour food service, free Internet access and massage seats will enhance passenger stay experience in these spaces.

In the first-class lounge there will be double guest bedrooms with private shower facilities and business-class lounges will offer single bedrooms with bathroom and shower facilities.

The DIA will also feature a G-Force Health Club a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art health club facility open round the cloc