‘Raghav Chadha Nails It When He Says Air Travel Is Affordable, Airport Food Isn’t’
Abhishek Arjun Singh says when AAP leader Raghav Chadha talked about expensive food at airport lounges, it struck a chord with many frequent flyers like him. His views:
As a frequent flyer, I have spent countless hours navigating the bustling terminals of airports across the country. One thing that always catches my attention — and not in a pleasant way — is the ridiculously high prices of food and drinks at airport eateries. It is frustrating to see something as basic as a sandwich or a cup of coffee come with a price tag that makes you think twice, especially when you have already spent a good amount of dosh on your ticket.
Recently, when AAP MP Raghav Chadha raised this issue in Parliament, honestly it struck a chord with me. He pointed out that while air travel has become more affordable and accessible to many, the food and beverage items at airports remain outrageously expensive. It’s a real paradox: you can now afford the airfare, but once you’re inside the airport, even a simple snack feels like a luxury.
The root of this problem lies in the high rents that airport operators charge businesses for their spaces. These costs inevitably get passed on to us, the passengers. So, a bottle of water or a quick bite ends up costing two or three times more than it would outside. I get that running a business at an airport comes with added costs and challenges, but does that mean passengers should be left footing such an excessive bill? It doesn’t feel fair.
Airports are supposed to make our journeys easier, but these sky-high prices end up alienating the very people they’re meant to serve. Imagine this: a sandwich that would cost ₹100 at a local café is suddenly ₹300 or more at the airport. For families, budget-conscious travellers, or even frequent flyers like me, this makes us question whether we should eat at all or just wait until we’re out of the airport.
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This isn’t just about expensive food; it’s about a larger issue of fairness. Airports and their vendors need to find a better balance between profitability and customer satisfaction. If rents are too high, maybe it’s time for airport authorities to rethink their pricing structures.
If vendors are charging too much, perhaps regulations are needed to cap prices on essential items. Passengers deserve better—we shouldn’t feel like we’re being taken advantage of every time we travel. Whether it’s capping prices, regulating rents, or encouraging more affordable options, something needs to change.
As someone who travels often, I hope this conversation leads to a larger debate and some real action on the ground. Affordable food and drinks at airports shouldn’t be a privilege—they’re a necessity. It is high time airport authorities, businesses, and policymakers came together to make travel not just convenient but also fair for everyone. After all, the journey should be as enjoyable as the destination.
As told to Deepti Sharma
