India’s first and only ‘affordable food outlet’ at an airport has been well-received by travelers in Kolkata, attracting a daily footfall of approximately 900 within its first month, PTI reported on January 22. Located in the departure area of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, the UDAN Yatri Cafe offers tea for just Rs 10, a stark contrast to the significantly higher prices at other airport food outlets. According to an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson, the cafe has served around 27,000 passengers since its launch.
The cafe was inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on December 21, during the Kolkata airport’s centenary celebrations. He expressed his satisfaction with the cafe’s reception, noting that it aligns with his goal of making air travel more affordable for Indians.
“As Civil Aviation Minister, I have always focused on making air travel more accessible and affordable. The UDAN Yatri Cafe, as the first of its kind, is a significant step towards that vision,” Naidu said in a post on X. “I am truly grateful for the positive response from travelers. This initiative reflects our commitment to improving the passenger experience.”
A video shared by the minister highlighted his visit to Kolkata for the airport’s centenary celebrations and the official opening of the cafe. Managed by a private company, the cafe offers a bottle of water for Rs 10, and items like coffee, a sweetmeat, or a samosa are priced at Rs 20 each, according to sources at NSCBI airport.
The success of this initiative has sparked discussions about the potential establishment of similar low-cost cafes at other airports. It was conceived following numerous passenger complaints about the high prices of food within airport terminals.
A recent nationwide survey revealed that many airline passengers find airport food and beverages to be “excessively” priced. Some travelers reported paying more than double the prices for the same items at restaurants, retail stores, or railway stations. The survey, conducted by LocalCircles, found that 60 percent of travelers faced food and beverage prices at airports that were 100-200 percent higher compared to railway stations. The survey, which gathered over 28,000 responses from across 309 districts in India, included participants from Tier-I, Tier-II, and rural areas.
The survey highlighted that items like samosas or patties could cost over Rs 200, thalis could exceed Rs 500, and beverages such as coffee, tea, or soft drinks could easily reach Rs 200-300, reflecting two to three times the cost at typical food outlets in malls.
