Airports have long been synonymous with sky-high prices, be it a cup of tea or a quick snack. Yet, what if someone came and said you could have piping hot samosas for Rs 20 or refreshing cups of tea for Rs 10 directly at the airport? The Kolkata-based Udaan Yatri Cafe is that kind of revolutionary concept-cum-place that has been turning heads and winning hearts.
Cheap food at an unlikely place
For a long, passengers have been reluctant to buy food at airports, as they fear that the prices are going to be sky-high. A cup of tea, which costs Rs 10 to Rs 15 outside, often costs triple digits inside airport terminals. But the newly inaugurated Udaan Yatri Cafe at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport has turned the narrative on its head.To make air travel affordable and enjoyable, the Civil Aviation Ministry, along with the Airports Authority of India, launched this economical food outlet at the departure area. The place offers a wide variety of snacks and beverages priced so low that passengers can almost smile at them. A bottle of water for Rs 10, coffee and sweets for Rs 20, and samosas that do not cost an arm and a leg? It is a budget-conscious traveller’s dream come true.
Record-breaking start
The cafe has been a runaway hit since it was inaugurated on December 21 last year during the centenary celebrations of Kolkata Airport. The AAI spokespersons say that 900 visitors are being served in the cafe every day, adding up to an incredible 27,000 passengers in its very first month.
Udaan Yatri Cafe has its basic concept in a feedback survey taken, which claimed that the price of food and beverages was “astronomical” at the airport. It showcases the commitment to make travelling for everyone, including those on a budget.
Civil aviation minister’s vision
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu is taking this as one of the significant missions for air travel, in general, that has been expensive for a section of the travelling population. Ever since I took the oath as the Civil Aviation Minister, my mission has been to make air travel more affordable and accessible to every Indian. Udaan Yatri Cafe at Kolkata airport, India’s first affordable food outlet, is an important step in that direction,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The minister has posted a touching video of his visit to Kolkata for the 100th anniversary of the airport and the inauguration of the cafe. “On completion of one month, I am deeply impressed with the positive response from passengers. This initiative reflects our commitment to make travel easier for every passenger,” he added.
What is next for Udaan Yatri Cafe?
It seems that the enormous success of this particular cafe may prompt similar low-cost outlets at other airports around India. In such a scenario, air travel will finally enter an era where travellers need not draw money from their pockets for some basic refreshments.
A refreshing change for the passengers
Udaan Yatri Cafe is not just an affordable eating joint, but a symbol of accessibility, which takes the comfort of home to flying skies for everybody. In a country where millions of dreams are held back by soaring costs, an initiative like this shows that such positivity can be achieved.
ALSO READ: World’s most expensive bottled waters: Why celebrities and the rich pay premium prices for them
So, the next time you’re at Kolkata Airport, don’t hesitate to stop by Udaan Yatri Cafe for a cup of tea or a quick snack. It’s not just a meal—it’s a revolution in the making!
(thumb image courtesy: X.com/aaraynsh)
