Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Friday announced the launch of “UDAN Yatri Cafe,” a unique initiative to provide affordable meals to passengers at airports across the country. 

Speaking at an event to unveil the ‘Centenary Celebrations Logo of Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport,’ in New Delhi, Naidu said the “UDAN Yatri Cafe” is set to be introduced first at Kolkata Airport to cater to the essential needs of the passengers.

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Survey report

Recently, a survey by LocalCircles showed that six in ten airline passengers find food and beverages sold at airports excessively priced. 

The survey revealed that passengers have paid over 200 per cent more for food and beverages at airports than at restaurants, organised retail and railway stations.

“Rapid expansion of airports in the country has seen an increase in the number of eateries and stores offering a range of snacks, savouries, fast foods and Indian meals. However, unlike in the past, most of the items on sale, particularly fresh products that are cooked or reheated at the food outlet, are generally very highly priced, according to feedback from airline passengers,” the survey report said.

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For instance, a LocalCircles report cited that a samosa or patty may cost upward of ₹200 and a thali meal may cost more than ₹500. 

In addition, a coffee or tea or a cold beverage may easily cost ₹200-300, two to three times what one would pay at a food outlet in a mall, the survey said.

High prices

“Interestingly, the prices go up further in the stores situated after the security gates. The scenario is unlike at the railway stations, particularly the big ones in Delhi and Mumbai, where travellers have a choice between small food stalls or outlets, small vendors, and big franchise outlets,” the survey report said.

“As only highly priced edibles are being available at most airports, many passengers are thinking twice before spending on food at airports and in some cases even carrying their own snacks or meals, though it is cumbersome with the security and weight restrictions along with the underlying risk of spillage.”

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The survey added that over a thousand complaints have been received in the last 12 months about high food and beverage prices.

In this background, in the Civil Aviation Minister maintained that the main purpose of the ‘UDAN Yatri Cafe’ is to provide affordable basic refreshments.

Pushed boundaries

“In the last ten years, especially in civil aviation, the airports have expanded, the passenger capacity has increased, airline fleets have grown, and cargo operations have surged. All verticals related to civil aviation have pushed boundaries under the leadership of our Prime Minister,” Naidu said.

“We are now the third-largest domestic aviation hub in the world. And now, we need to take it forward, break barriers once again, level up the civil aviation sector, and achieve the goal of becoming the number one domestic hub in the world.”

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This initiative, he said, will be first tested in Kolkata and then rolled out across the rest of the country.

Notably, the initiative will be implemented by the Airports Authority of India and the cafés will be located at the departure area.

Reflecting on the transformative impact of the UDAN scheme, he remarked, “The UDAN scheme has been revolutionary in the civil aviation sector. Over the last eight years, we have launched more than 600 flights, transporting crores of people. The scheme has made the vision of ‘Hawai Chappal in Hawai Jahaz’ a reality.