Taking off

It's an area that has always been closed to cameras, but fasten your seatbelts, we're going in. Duty free shopping, spas, cafes, gaming zones the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport offers passengers the world. In this exclusive, Sunday MiD DAY is invited to photograph its all-new avatar

It's an area that has always been closed to cameras, but fasten your seatbelts, we're going in. Duty free shopping, spas, cafes, gaming zones the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport offers passengers the world. In this exclusive, Sunday MiD DAY is invited to photograph its all-new avatar

It's been over a year since the new look of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport was unveiled in Sahar. For the first time ever, the airport authorities have allowed cameras in while inviting Sunday MiD DAY to enter their premises minus a passport, visa and boarding card. Duty-free shops, high-end lounges, spas u2014 we get an exclusive peek into what a passenger can do before or after flying



Cool zone
The ice cream of Juhu scheme makes it to Sahar as well with a Natural's Ice-cream outlet at the meeter-greeter area outside the airport. A few feet away is Kareem's, the famous Delhi eatery, which will soon start service.



Your royal highness
The IIFA private dining section is as blingy and glittery as Bollywood can get. Snazzy red and gold cushions with a Mughal-e-Azam du00e9cor, we're wondering why the place is so conspicuously empty and of courseu2026 why the staff doesn't address us as 'Zil-e-ilaahi'.



Coffee, tea... or?
In case check-in and immigrations made you hungry, fret not. Noodle Bar, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Indian Paradise, Pizza Hut, US Pizza, Cafu00e9 Coffee Day are all in one endless line of gastronomical delight. Or, head to the red, red filmi world of the IIFA Cafe.u00a0



Do it yourself
The self check-in lounge pat opposite the various check-in counters still hasn't caught on, though airport officials feel it will make travel a lot easier. Besides a kiosk, which automatically checks the passenger's visa and issues a boarding card, there is a phone charging center and a secure-wrap for baggage.



Health matters
An airport official uses a thermal camera to gauge whether any of the arriving passengers show symptoms of swine flu or other illnesses. In such cases, the camera flashes red. There's also a Photocatalytic Air Purifier in the Arrivals area and Receptol, an energy booster. The airport has defibrillator equipment at regular intervals, in case a passenger suffers from a heart attack. The airport staff have all been trained to use it.u00a0



Just games
When the parents are busy shopping, the kids can come in here for some mean gaming. Stocked with virtual rides and races, the kid gaming zone is completely empty in the day, though airline staffers swear it fills up during the wee hours.



All in good time
These clocks at the departure area, unveiled a week ago, are sourced from Ulysse Nardin. The wall which they currently occupy will soon turn into a brown board, so the gold doesn't reflect off the time. Each of these four time-keepers comes at a hefty Rs 2.5 lakh. Talk about time being money!



My foot!
The fish spa isn't operational as yet because the fish are still on their way from Singapore. However, two petite girls in red knead your feet and legs with olive oil and prod them with a carved wooden stick as you lounge on a comfy couch just before take-off. "All I want now is a cup of coffee," says one of the clients. Only problem: it's in full public view.u00a0



Lead us into temptation
The Duty Free Shopping section at the mezzanine floor is open to departing passengers and is fully equipped to drive you nuts...think Coach bags, Gucci sunglasses, Movado, Fendi and Dior watches, spirits, tobacco, chocolates, accessories, perfumes, designer wear and trinkets. The DFS at the arrival lounge isn't as stocked. Even if you're completely broke, doesn't cost much to ogle at a particularly attractive poster of Leonardo DiCaprio sporting a Tag Heuer watch.

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