The Incheon terminal has 46 gates and is South Korea's largest building. Incheon operates two parallel runways and expects to serve 27 million passengers this year and 100 million passengers annually by 2020. It took nine years and $5 billion to build it.

The terminal is known as the "Gateway to Asia,'' says Curt Fentress, principal of design at his namesake firm.

''Our design vision for the passenger terminal embodies the beauty and history of Korea s it showcases its art, traditions and culture,'' says Fentress. ''More importantly, it will become a source of national pride as it captures the wonder and excitement of flight for this beautiful country and its gracious people.''

There are several components of the terminal. The first is the Departure Hall, which showcases the state-of-the -art roof. It includes modular islands for check-in. Boarding gates and lounges are equipped with cyber ports. A continuous glass curtain wall highlights the Arrival Concourse.

''After a long flight from the US or Europe, passengers step into the Arrival Concourse and immediately gain a 'Korean sense of place,' as they view the interior and are drawn to spectacular view through the massive curtain wall,'' Fentress says.

The Arrival Concourse includes the "Great Hall"' with landscaped gardens and fountains.

The airport is built on an island that US Gen. Douglas MacArthur used during the Korean War to launch maneuvers. The airport covers 2,244 acres. It is protected by a 10.8-mile dike between Yongjong and Yongu island. The island is in the Yellow Sea, 11 miles off the South Korean coast.