The Damascus International Airport is being renovated under a two-year plan which is expected to cost the Syrian government $56 million.
Last year, $10 million was spent to expand and refurbish the airport in a bid to double the airport's existing capacity, raising the number of passengers it can handle to five million annually. Part of the renovation work involved redecorating the passport control units in the passenger departure, arrival, and domestic halls, under the supervision of the Syrian Ministry of Interior.
"The selection of DuPont for this project, further endorses our position as the market leader in the ,solid surface industry,'' comments Tony Azzam, manager, DuPont Corian Middle East.
Sixteen passport control units in the departure and the arrival hall were outfitted with blue and gray Corian solid surfaces for a total of cost of $170,000. The application of the solid surfaces started in August 2000 and was completed by October.
''Corian was chosen for the airport contract despite strong competition from lower-cost, look-alike alternatives,'' explains Aboud Trabulsi, the product's distributor in Syria. "The Syrian government's decision to equip the airport with the best materials resulted in Corian winning this major contract.
"This is truly a landmark project for Corian in Syria, and a vote of confidence by the Syrian government in recognising our global reputation as a quality provider."
The success of Corian solid surfaces used for tops at the airport's Sheraton Hotel played a major role in the Ministry of Interior's decision to select Corian for the airport project.
"Besides the superior quality and excellent finishing of the Corian-furbished passport control units, the aesthetic design is extremely appealing to passengers using the Damascus International Airport,'' explains Trabulsi "Four other units in the domestic section of the airport are being refurbished with Corian products."
Built 15 years ago, no serious effort has been undertaken to upgrade the airport's facilities until last year.
Last year, refurbishment also included adding 200 sq m to the departure area; another 1,600 sq m extension is expected to take place this year. A similar expansion will be undertaken in the arrival area. The renovation work will continue this year.
