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Affordable Dining Options at Airports Gain Attention

The Udaan Yatri Café initiative is transforming airport dining by offering affordable meal options, with tea priced at just ₹10. This effort, part of a broader government initiative, aims to enhance the travel experience by providing clean and quality food at reasonable prices. With plans to expand to major airports by 2026, this café addresses long-standing concerns about high food costs, making it a welcome change for budget-conscious travelers. Explore how this initiative is reshaping dining at airports and what other affordable options are available.
By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 30, 2026, 20:07 IST

Introduction to Affordable Airport Dining

The topic of affordable meals at airports has resurfaced, highlighted by a recent social media post discussing low-cost dining options for travelers. The focus of this discussion is the 'Udaan Yatri Café,' an initiative aimed at providing budget-friendly food and beverages within airport premises. Raghav Chadha, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party, shared his experience of purchasing tea for just ₹10 at this café located in Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Frequent travelers, accustomed to high food prices, have welcomed this concept, deeming it practical and essential. In his video post, he noted that everyone was pleased, echoing sentiments of affordability, good service, and value for money.


Part of a Broader Government Initiative

This initiative is part of a larger effort to enhance passenger experiences. The first café of its kind was launched in Kolkata under the Airports Authority of India (AAI), aimed at making basic food items affordable for travelers. The Udaan Yatri Café is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the AAI, primarily focused on providing clean, quality food and beverages at reasonable prices within airport terminals. Previously, food and drink prices at Indian airports were often exorbitant, with bottled water costing up to ₹100 and snacks like samosas priced between ₹150 and ₹200. These costs were often burdensome for many middle-class travelers, leaving them with little choice but to pay high prices. The Udaan Yatri Café aims to change this by offering reasonably priced options, providing relief to budget-conscious travelers. Notably, the first Udaan Yatri Café opened in December 2024 at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and has since gained popularity among passengers. The government plans to expand these cafés to most major AAI-operated airports across the country by 2026.


Addressing Long-Standing Concerns

High food prices at airports have been a common complaint among travelers for years. The introduction of these cafés is seen as an effort to alleviate this concern, particularly for budget travelers and those flying for the first time. By offering essential items like tea, snacks, and meals at lower prices, this initiative aims to strike a balance between affordability and convenience. As you may have learned, tea is available for ₹10 at the Udaan Café. Now, let's explore the prices of other items available here. According to the café's menu, tea is priced at ₹10, while bottled water costs ₹10, coffee is available for ₹20, the sweet of the day is ₹20, and samosas are also priced at ₹20. These rates are significantly lower than those at other cafés within the airport.


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