**Executive Summary**
This document contains the Minister of Civil Aviation's response to Unstarred Question No. 29, raised in Lok Sabha, concerning food prices and parking charges at airports. The response, dated January 29, 2026, addresses concerns about affordability and potential regulations. The document states that several initiatives have already been taken.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Affordable Food Initiatives:**
* To address the high costs of food, several airports have already taken steps to offer low-cost outlets.
* Airports Authority of India (AAI) introduced the 'Udan Yatri Cafe' concept, starting at Kolkata Airport, to offer affordable meals.
* 'Udan Yatri Cafe' facilities have expanded to Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada, and Hollongi Airports.
* Introduction of 'Udan Yatri Cafe' or similar low-cost outlets at other airports is left to the discretion of respective airport operators.
* **Parking Charges:**
* Vehicle parking charges at AAI-owned airports are based on the airport category and are maintained at reasonable levels.
* Vehicle parking rates and food/water prices are classified as non-aeronautical revenue streams.
* These rates are determined by airport operators and concessionaires based on market dynamics and commercial considerations, not regulated by the Government.
**Impact Analysis**
**Passengers/Common Travellers:**
* **Impact:** May benefit from more affordable food options at some airports through the 'Udan Yatri Cafe' initiative, but will continue to be subject to market-driven pricing for other food and parking services.
* **Action Required:** None.
**Airports Authority of India (AAI):**
* **Impact:** AAI has already implemented the 'Udan Yatri Cafe' initiative to provide low-cost food options at specific airports.
* **Action Required:** AAI will continue with the initiated actions.
**Airport Operators/Concessionaires:**
* **Impact:** Retain discretion over introducing low-cost food outlets and setting prices for food and parking based on market conditions.
* **Action Required:** None.
**Government (Ministry of Civil Aviation):**
* **Impact:** Has addressed concerns regarding affordability without implementing strict price controls, relying instead on initiatives from AAI and airport operators.
* **Action Required:** None.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary government body responsible for civil aviation matters, answering questions regarding food prices and parking charges at airports.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The entity responsible for managing many Indian airports, whose actions and policies directly affect airport pricing.
Udan Yatri Cafe: An initiative introduced by AAI to provide affordable meals at airports.
Airports: Various airports across the country where the prices of food, beverages, and parking charges are under scrutiny.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 29
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
FOOD PRICES AND PARKING CHARGES AT AIRPORTS
29. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that the prices of food and beverage sand the
parking charges at various airports of the country are very high and beyond the
affordability of the common traveller;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor and the concrete steps taken so far to regulate these
rates;
(c) whether the Government is considering to establish any price-control mechanism
or issue guidelines to ensure affordable prices for essential goods and food items
at airports and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any policy has been proposed to make parking charges reasonable and
ensure transparency in order to provide relief to passengers and the general
public; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (e): To address the demand for affordable food options, several airports have
already taken initiatives to introduce low-cost outlets. The Airports Authority of
India (AAI) introduced the concept of 'Udan Yatri Cafe' at Kolkata Airport as an
initiative to offer affordable meals to passengers. The facility of 'Udan Yatri Cafe'
has been extended to Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada and
Hollongi Airports as well. Further, the introduction of 'Udan Yatri Cafe' or similar
low-cost outlets at other airports is at the discretion of the respective airport
operators.The vehicle parking charges at airports owned by AAI are levied based on the
category of the airport and are kept at reasonable levels.
Vehicle parking rates, food and water prices, etc., form part of non-aeronautical
revenue streams. The rates for such services are determined by airport operators and
concessionaires based on market dynamics and commercial considerations, as these
are not regulated by the Government.
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