India's First Affordable Airport Food Outlet a Hit Among Travelers
India's first 'affordable' airport food outlet has become a major success, drawing thousands of travelers at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport. The UDAN Yatri Cafe, which offers budget-friendly food options, has attracted a daily footfall of around 900 passengers within its first month of operation. Located in the departure area, the cafe has garnered significant attention for its pricing, with tea available for as low as Rs 10, a stark contrast to the considerably higher prices at other airport eateries.
According to a spokesperson from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the UDAN Yatri Cafe has served approximately 27,000 passengers since it opened its doors on December 21, 2024. The cafe was inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu during Kolkata airport's centenary celebrations, and its popularity among travelers has exceeded expectations.
Minister Naidu expressed his satisfaction with the response, emphasizing that the cafe marks a significant step toward making air travel more affordable and accessible for all Indians. "Since assuming office, I have aimed to make air travel more affordable. The UDAN Yatri Cafe at Kolkata Airport represents a major stride toward achieving this goal", Naidu said in a post on X, previously Twitter. "The response from passengers has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting our commitment to improving the travel experience", he added.
The cafe is managed by a private company. It offers all sorts of affordable food items including tea for Rs 10, water bottles for Rs 10, and snacks like samosas and sweets for just Rs 20 each. With the high cost of food and beverages at airports often being a source of frustration for passengers, the UDAN Yatri Cafe's pricing has proven to be a welcome relief. Similar initiatives could be explored at other airports across the country in the future, according to sources at NSCBI Airport.
According to a recent survey conducted by LocalCircles, the problem of high prices at airports is a common issue among travelers, with many of them reporting that food at airports was priced much higher than at regular restaurants, retail outlets, or even railway stations. The survey, which gathered over 28,000 responses from passengers across 309 districts in India, found that nearly 60% of respondents experienced food and beverage prices that were 100-200% higher at airports compared to railway stations. For instance, samosas, patties, or thalis at airports cost more than Rs 200, and tea, coffee, and soft drinks can easily reach Rs 200-300, which is a huge markup compared to other public places.
The UDAN Yatri Cafe is part of a broader effort to address this issue, providing an affordable dining option for travelers and contributing to the government's ongoing push to enhance passenger experiences at airports. The success of this initiative at Kolkata's airport has sparked discussions about the possibility of replicating the model at other airports across India, with an emphasis on reducing the burden of high food costs on air travelers.
As the initiative continues to gain traction, passengers are hopeful that more affordable options will become available at airports, further improving the overall travel experience in the country.
