Kolkata Airport Introduces Affordable Cafe for Flying Passengers

Kolkata International Airport has introduced its first Udaan Yatri cafe, marking a major shift in the way travelers access food and beverages while waiting to or departing from flights.

The initiative is a result of efforts led by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha, who earlier raised concerns about overpriced meals and snacks at airports during the Winter session of Parliament. In response to widespread criticism, the Civil Aviation Ministry has launched the Udaan Yatri cafe as a pilot project.

Passengers can now enjoy water, tea, coffee, and snacks at reasonable prices, marking a significant improvement in airport services. The introduction of this affordable cafe is expected to make air travel more accessible to a wider range of passengers.

Chadha took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his satisfaction with the recent development, stating that he was thrilled to see the reduction in tea prices at Kolkata Airport following his previous intervention on food affordability. He expressed hope that other airports would follow suit and adopt similar pricing strategies for basic essentials.

The Udaan Yatri cafe is managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as part of an ongoing effort to enhance onboard amenities and improve passenger experience. With its introduction, Kolkata Airport has set a precedent for airports across the country to reevaluate their approach to food pricing and services.

Following Chadha's push, the Civil Aviation Ministry has indicated plans to expand this initiative to other airports if it proves successful. The success of this project is seen as a step forward in making air travel more affordable and enjoyable for passengers nationwide.