Indian govt launches 'Udaan Yatri Cafe' to address high airport food prices

The Indian government launched the 'Udaan Yatri Cafe' program in response to the frequent complaints about expensive food and drinks at airports.

This is a major step in addressing the issue. The action follows criticism of the excessive prices of necessities like water, tea, and snacks at airports by Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha during the winter session of Parliament.

As a trial project, the first "Udaan Yatri Cafe" will open in Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

If it proves successful, it would eventually spread to other airports run by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

"Finally, the government has listened to the voice of the common man. I hope this initiative, which begins with Kolkata Airport, is extended to all airports. This step will ensure that air travelers no longer have to pay ₹100-250 for basic items like water or tea,” said MP Chadha expressing his approval.

In Parliament, Raghav Chadha brought up the problem, emphasizing the problems of travelers who frequently had to pay exorbitant costs for meals and beverages at airports.

Chadha said in his address that a cup of tea could cost ₹200–250, while a bottle of water could cost up to ₹100.

In order to ease the burden on the general public, he asked if the government could not set up reasonably priced canteens at airports.

Apart from the cost of meals, Chadha also criticized the untidy and crowded airports, comparing them to bus stops because of the lengthy lines and inadequate supervision.

Many people were moved by his concerns, and the public began to support his efforts to lower the cost and increase the accessibility of air travel.

On social media, Chadha's comments were widely praised, with many people praising him as an advocate for the average person.

People like Konchok Stanzin, a counselor from Chushul, close to the China border in Ladakh, who emphasized the unique difficulties encountered by those from distant places, provided support in addition to the broader public.

Support came not only from the general public but also from individuals such as Konchok Stanzin, a counsellor from Chushul near the China border in Ladakh, who emphasized the unique issues that people in rural locations confront.

Stanzin pointed out that the project might be a huge help to Ladakhis, who frequently have to pay high airfares during the winter months when they are isolated from the rest of the nation.

Chadha also took a dig at India's growing airfares, claiming that they are becoming more and more unaffordable for the average person. "The government promised that people in slippers would fly, but now even those wearing Bata shoes can't afford air travel," he said, referring to the Indian Aviation Bill 2024.

He brought up the recent year-long spike in airfares, pointing out that flights between Delhi and Mumbai and Delhi and Patna now cost between ₹10,000 and ₹14,500.

While a flight to the Maldives costs roughly Rs 17,000, he pointed out that a ticket to Lakshadweep, which the government is pushing as a tourist destination, now costs ₹25,000.

Many individuals found resonance in Chadha's statement, which brought to light the discrepancy between the government's assurances and the actual situation of growing air travel expenses, which have turned into a financial hardship for regular people.

By providing reasonably priced amenities, the government hopes to ensure that air travel becomes more accessible to the general public, especially at a time when the aviation sector is witnessing rising costs and crowded airports.

The 'Udaan Yatri Cafe' initiative is a positive step toward making air travel more affordable and comfortable for all travelers.

It aims to relieve the pressure on passengers who have long complained about inflated prices for basic food and drinks at airports.

As the trial project begins in Kolkata, many people expect that it will spread to other airports nationwide, lowering the cost and increasing the convenience of air travel for everybody.