How are glass curtain walls used in airport terminals to improve natural lighting and passenger comfort?

Glass curtain walls are widely adopted in modern airport terminals to increase natural daylight, improve passenger comfort, and create a welcoming spatial experience. By using high-performance insulated glass units and selective solar control coatings, curtain walls allow abundant daylight to penetrate deep into terminal concourses while limiting heat gain—an essential balance for airports in hot Middle Eastern cities like Dubai and Riyadh and for transit hubs serving Central Asian routes to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The result is more visually comfortable terminals with reduced reliance on artificial lighting during daytime hours, leading to measurable energy savings and lower operational costs. Beyond daylighting, curtain walls contribute to improved wayfinding and perceived safety: expansive glazed façades maintain visual connections to airside operations, aircraft stands, and landscape features, which reduces passenger stress and improves situational awareness. Acoustic performance is another consideration—laminated and insulated glazing systems help reduce external aircraft and ground-operations noise, improving comfort in waiting areas and lounges. From a maintenance and hygiene perspective, modern glass systems used in airport environments can be specified with easy-to-clean coatings and minimal external mullion profiles to lower dust accumulation and simplify cleaning regimes—important for busy international hubs connecting to cities such as Doha and Almaty. Structurally, curtain wall systems are engineered for large spans and seismic or wind loads, with air-tightness and drainage design tailored for the local climate. Finally, integrated shading devices, frit patterns, or fritted glass can be used to manage glare for passengers while preserving outward views. When designed and specified correctly, glass curtain walls transform airport terminals into energy-efficient, comfortable, and visually open public spaces suitable for the Middle East and Central Asia’s climatic and operational demands.