Dr. Rajeev Menon, the National General Secretary of the Republican Party of India (RPI), has urged to end the exorbitant prices charged for food and beverages at Indian airports. He announced that he would submit a formal complaint to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, regarding this issue.
For years, passengers at Indian airports have been raising concerns about being overcharged for food items. Some airports charge as much as 100 for a cup of tea and 600 for a masala dosa. Dr. Rajeev Menon emphasized the need for a permanent solution to prevent such overpricing.
Once passengers clear customs, security checks, and immigration, they often wish to relax with a cup of tea in the departure lounge. However, what costs 10 outside is priced excessively inside airports. Dr. Rajeev Menon highlighted that food inside airports is often double or triple the regular market price. He also pointed out the high parking charges, calculated by the minute, imposed on those accompanying passengers. From a cup of coffee to a bottle of water, passengers are forced to pay inflated prices at airports.
Travelers have no other choice but to buy the overpriced food when they need something to eat or drink. Due to security restrictions and limited supply channels, airport stores take advantage of the situation by charging high prices. Dr. Rajeev Menon stressed that this exploitation must end. He also called on the central government to implement services and facilities at airports similar to those provided by Indian Railways and to intervene to stop the overcharging at airports.
