Costly Airport Food Era Ends: ‘UDAN Yatri Café’ to Open at Airports Nationwide
National Desk: Air travelers across India are set to get major relief from overpriced airport food. The central government has launched the UDAN Yatri Café, offering tea, coffee, water, snacks, and local delicacies at highly affordable, fixed prices—ending the compulsion to pay ₹200–₹300 for basic refreshments at airports.
The initiative has been rolled out by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Its objective is to provide travelers with economical, hygienic, and reliable food options while improving the overall airport experience.
Where has the UDAN Yatri Café started?
The café has already begun operations at several major airports across the country:
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (first café opened in December 2024)
- Chennai International Airport
- Ahmedabad International Airport
- Pune International Airport (with priority given to women employees)
- Vijayawada International Airport
- Biju Patnaik International Airport
- Donyi Polo Airport
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (from January 2026)
The government aims to ensure that every major airport in India has at least one UDAN Yatri Café by the end of 2026, with a cap of one café per airport.
What’s on the menu?
All items are sold at fixed, affordable prices:
- Water bottle: ₹10
- Tea: ₹10
- Coffee: ₹20
- Samosa: ₹20
- Local snack or sweet: ₹20
Local specialties are a highlight—such as rasgulla in Kolkata, vada pav in Pune, vadai in Chennai, and kachori in Vijayawada—bringing regional flavors to airport terminals.
What does the government say?
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu stated that strict monitoring will be in place to ensure food quality and hygiene, with swift action on passenger complaints. According to the government, the UDAN Yatri Café offers the combined benefits of street-style taste, low prices, and dependable quality—and early passenger feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
