Most of us have experienced this at some point – you're at the airport, you didn't have time for breakfast, and now your stomach is growling as you wait to board your flight.

So what do you do? You wander over to one of the airport food courts in hopes of finding something delicious and reasonably priced to tide you over until lunchtime. But alas, everything is expensive!

You might be wondering why everything costs so much more at airports than it does at regular grocery stores or cafes. Well, a retail expert has weighed in on the long-standing issue and admitted that it’s not as simple as people think...

One Australian traveller brought the shocking price they paid for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich at the airport to the attention of others and in no time, the news blew up on social media.

A traveller shared on social media that they paid an outrageous $12.50 at the airport for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Credit: Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, the traveller said they were charged a whopping $12.50 for the sandwich, which outraged many users (who vented their frustrations in the comments).

While some alleged that the airport prices are ‘unreasonable’, Queensland University of Technology Marketing Professor Gary Mortimer revealed there are actually a few reasons behind the high prices.

For starters, security clearances are needed for all staff members working behind counters in airside areas of airports.

Prof Mortimer explained: 'The main reasons are things like security clearances, because as soon as you go to the air side, and you have a team member behind the counter, they need to have security clearances and naturally that drives prices up.'

'The other challenge is these workers tend to move around quite a lot.'

'So, it might be a casual worker who will work for a while and then quit to work somewhere else, so then they need to employ a new person who needs to go through all the security checks again.'

Mortimer also revealed that retailers are often subjected to audits by the airport they're based in, which often raises the costs.

'Airports will charge the retailer for an audit,' he said.

'For example, they might check that if you have eight knives at the start of the day, you still have eight by the end of the day.'

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of parking is another reason for the steep prices of airport food and drinks.

The cost of employing staff to work at the airport also contributes.

And despite the circumstances surrounding the prices of airport food and drinks, Mortimer claims that retailers sometimes take advantage of the 'captive audience'.

'So, once you’ve gone through screening you can’t exactly go back, so you don’t really have any other options,' he continued.

'Possibly when international borders reopened, and there were only a small number of cafés open, there may have been a bit of profiteering.'

'But now there are lots of options and alternatives at international airports, so it is more just simply costs that normal businesses outside of an airport sector don’t have to face.'

Others have also shared their personal accounts of the 'unreasonable' prices of airport food.

One person shared: 'I paid $18 for a pint in Sydney airport on Monday.'

'Sandwiches like this can be had for five or six bucks in the city. It’s not really a surprise that food costs more at the airport because A), the rent is higher and B), there’s a captive market,' another added.

A third chimed in: 'I don’t think there’s ever an excuse to buy this... I’d rather fast for a day.'

Key Takeaways

• A retail and marketing expert has explained the reasons behind high airport prices for food and beverages. These include security clearances for staff, high staff turnover, and audits by the airport.
• Despite these reasons, some travellers suggest that retailers may take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ of travellers at airports.
• To avoid high prices at airports, travellers are advised to bring their own food or purchase food before going through security.

How about you? Have you had airport food? Was the price of the meal justified? Share your airport food stories with us in the comments below!

 

[Suzanne rose]

This article is so wrong.

The shops around the airport do not need security clearance. When a shop first opens then they need to go through security checks ect , their employees have normal reference checks ect.
A different story once your working on the other side eg catering, security, bag handlers, engineers ect. You need to wear your photo card and sign in before getting into the other side.

There are thousands that work at the airport.

My sister inlaw was the security lady who took photos and made the security cards.

A grandfather worked in the control tower .

A number of cousins worked in catering they filled the planes with food.

Another cousin is an engineer who works on the planes

My brother in law works for a car rental place and we are lucky we can park there for free when picking up someone or dropping off.

Parking is expensive because they know they can get the money as there is absolutely nowhere else you can park for miles

I've been talking about Sydney Airport, I don't know about others !

 

[Macarj]

If you don't like the prices don't buy it

 

[Thecheesequeen]

Well, no-one is forced to buy anything at the airport. If you’re prepared to pay $12.50 for a sandwich and $18 for a pint, then don’t complain about the cost. Just don’t buy it.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I learnt a long time ago to either take some sandwiches with me or pick up potato chips etc from the supermarket prior to heading to the airport.

 

[adorableagnes]

Most of us have experienced this at some point – you're at the airport, you didn't have time for breakfast, and now your stomach is growling as you wait to board your flight.

So what do you do? You wander over to one of the airport food courts in hopes of finding something delicious and reasonably priced to tide you over until lunchtime. But alas, everything is expensive!

You might be wondering why everything costs so much more at airports than it does at regular grocery stores or cafes. Well, a retail expert has weighed in on the long-standing issue and admitted that it’s not as simple as people think...

One Australian traveller brought the shocking price they paid for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich at the airport to the attention of others and in no time, the news blew up on social media.

A traveller shared on social media that they paid an outrageous $12.50 at the airport for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Credit: Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, the traveller said they were charged a whopping $12.50 for the sandwich, which outraged many users (who vented their frustrations in the comments).

While some alleged that the airport prices are ‘unreasonable’, Queensland University of Technology Marketing Professor Gary Mortimer revealed there are actually a few reasons behind the high prices.

For starters, security clearances are needed for all staff members working behind counters in airside areas of airports.

Prof Mortimer explained: 'The main reasons are things like security clearances, because as soon as you go to the air side, and you have a team member behind the counter, they need to have security clearances and naturally that drives prices up.'

'The other challenge is these workers tend to move around quite a lot.'

'So, it might be a casual worker who will work for a while and then quit to work somewhere else, so then they need to employ a new person who needs to go through all the security checks again.'

Mortimer also revealed that retailers are often subjected to audits by the airport they're based in, which often raises the costs.

'Airports will charge the retailer for an audit,' he said.

'For example, they might check that if you have eight knives at the start of the day, you still have eight by the end of the day.'

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of parking is another reason for the steep prices of airport food and drinks.

The cost of employing staff to work at the airport also contributes.

And despite the circumstances surrounding the prices of airport food and drinks, Mortimer claims that retailers sometimes take advantage of the 'captive audience'.

'So, once you’ve gone through screening you can’t exactly go back, so you don’t really have any other options,' he continued.

'Possibly when international borders reopened, and there were only a small number of cafés open, there may have been a bit of profiteering.'

'But now there are lots of options and alternatives at international airports, so it is more just simply costs that normal businesses outside of an airport sector don’t have to face.'

Others have also shared their personal accounts of the 'unreasonable' prices of airport food.

One person shared: 'I paid $18 for a pint in Sydney airport on Monday.'

'Sandwiches like this can be had for five or six bucks in the city. It’s not really a surprise that food costs more at the airport because A), the rent is higher and B), there’s a captive market,' another added.

A third chimed in: 'I don’t think there’s ever an excuse to buy this... I’d rather fast for a day.'

Key Takeaways

• A retail and marketing expert has explained the reasons behind high airport prices for food and beverages. These include security clearances for staff, high staff turnover, and audits by the airport.
• Despite these reasons, some travellers suggest that retailers may take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ of travellers at airports.
• To avoid high prices at airports, travellers are advised to bring their own food or purchase food before going through security.

How about you? Have you had airport food? Was the price of the meal justified? Share your airport food stories with us in the comments below!

Everyone knows that everything in the retail stores in the airport are more expensive, you just have to accept it and stop whining

 

[Suzanne rose]

The airport no have high end stores so cafes near these will take advantage knowing that people who shop there have money

I worked in Sydney cbd for many years and I dealt one on one with brides and so many of my brides were surprised with our prices .
They thought because we were in the city that prices would be high.

Alot of peoples mentality think everything is expensive because it's in the city.

If you go down George St around Martin place and Pitt St and Castlereagh St you will find all the top end shops including
Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Burberry, Tiffany's and Hermes can all be found in the heart of the city around King , George St, Pitt St and Castlereagh streets.

Go to cafes next to these and you will pay more for a coffee or sandwich or head down the road closer to Myers and you will pay normal prices

 

[Bernice S]

Most of us have experienced this at some point – you're at the airport, you didn't have time for breakfast, and now your stomach is growling as you wait to board your flight.

So what do you do? You wander over to one of the airport food courts in hopes of finding something delicious and reasonably priced to tide you over until lunchtime. But alas, everything is expensive!

You might be wondering why everything costs so much more at airports than it does at regular grocery stores or cafes. Well, a retail expert has weighed in on the long-standing issue and admitted that it’s not as simple as people think...

One Australian traveller brought the shocking price they paid for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich at the airport to the attention of others and in no time, the news blew up on social media.

A traveller shared on social media that they paid an outrageous $12.50 at the airport for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Credit: Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, the traveller said they were charged a whopping $12.50 for the sandwich, which outraged many users (who vented their frustrations in the comments).

While some alleged that the airport prices are ‘unreasonable’, Queensland University of Technology Marketing Professor Gary Mortimer revealed there are actually a few reasons behind the high prices.

For starters, security clearances are needed for all staff members working behind counters in airside areas of airports.

Prof Mortimer explained: 'The main reasons are things like security clearances, because as soon as you go to the air side, and you have a team member behind the counter, they need to have security clearances and naturally that drives prices up.'

'The other challenge is these workers tend to move around quite a lot.'

'So, it might be a casual worker who will work for a while and then quit to work somewhere else, so then they need to employ a new person who needs to go through all the security checks again.'

Mortimer also revealed that retailers are often subjected to audits by the airport they're based in, which often raises the costs.

'Airports will charge the retailer for an audit,' he said.

'For example, they might check that if you have eight knives at the start of the day, you still have eight by the end of the day.'

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of parking is another reason for the steep prices of airport food and drinks.

The cost of employing staff to work at the airport also contributes.

And despite the circumstances surrounding the prices of airport food and drinks, Mortimer claims that retailers sometimes take advantage of the 'captive audience'.

'So, once you’ve gone through screening you can’t exactly go back, so you don’t really have any other options,' he continued.

'Possibly when international borders reopened, and there were only a small number of cafés open, there may have been a bit of profiteering.'

'But now there are lots of options and alternatives at international airports, so it is more just simply costs that normal businesses outside of an airport sector don’t have to face.'

Others have also shared their personal accounts of the 'unreasonable' prices of airport food.

One person shared: 'I paid $18 for a pint in Sydney airport on Monday.'

'Sandwiches like this can be had for five or six bucks in the city. It’s not really a surprise that food costs more at the airport because A), the rent is higher and B), there’s a captive market,' another added.

A third chimed in: 'I don’t think there’s ever an excuse to buy this... I’d rather fast for a day.'

Key Takeaways

• A retail and marketing expert has explained the reasons behind high airport prices for food and beverages. These include security clearances for staff, high staff turnover, and audits by the airport.
• Despite these reasons, some travellers suggest that retailers may take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ of travellers at airports.
• To avoid high prices at airports, travellers are advised to bring their own food or purchase food before going through security.

How about you? Have you had airport food? Was the price of the meal justified? Share your airport food stories with us in the comments below!

 

[Bernice S]

Yes the prices are over the top. Most people know that and don't eat at an airport. If you can afford it then good luck to you.

 

[Alexander]

Most of us have experienced this at some point – you're at the airport, you didn't have time for breakfast, and now your stomach is growling as you wait to board your flight.

So what do you do? You wander over to one of the airport food courts in hopes of finding something delicious and reasonably priced to tide you over until lunchtime. But alas, everything is expensive!

You might be wondering why everything costs so much more at airports than it does at regular grocery stores or cafes. Well, a retail expert has weighed in on the long-standing issue and admitted that it’s not as simple as people think...

One Australian traveller brought the shocking price they paid for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich at the airport to the attention of others and in no time, the news blew up on social media.

A traveller shared on social media that they paid an outrageous $12.50 at the airport for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Credit: Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, the traveller said they were charged a whopping $12.50 for the sandwich, which outraged many users (who vented their frustrations in the comments).

While some alleged that the airport prices are ‘unreasonable’, Queensland University of Technology Marketing Professor Gary Mortimer revealed there are actually a few reasons behind the high prices.

For starters, security clearances are needed for all staff members working behind counters in airside areas of airports.

Prof Mortimer explained: 'The main reasons are things like security clearances, because as soon as you go to the air side, and you have a team member behind the counter, they need to have security clearances and naturally that drives prices up.'

'The other challenge is these workers tend to move around quite a lot.'

'So, it might be a casual worker who will work for a while and then quit to work somewhere else, so then they need to employ a new person who needs to go through all the security checks again.'

Mortimer also revealed that retailers are often subjected to audits by the airport they're based in, which often raises the costs.

'Airports will charge the retailer for an audit,' he said.

'For example, they might check that if you have eight knives at the start of the day, you still have eight by the end of the day.'

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of parking is another reason for the steep prices of airport food and drinks.

The cost of employing staff to work at the airport also contributes.

And despite the circumstances surrounding the prices of airport food and drinks, Mortimer claims that retailers sometimes take advantage of the 'captive audience'.

'So, once you’ve gone through screening you can’t exactly go back, so you don’t really have any other options,' he continued.

'Possibly when international borders reopened, and there were only a small number of cafés open, there may have been a bit of profiteering.'

'But now there are lots of options and alternatives at international airports, so it is more just simply costs that normal businesses outside of an airport sector don’t have to face.'

Others have also shared their personal accounts of the 'unreasonable' prices of airport food.

One person shared: 'I paid $18 for a pint in Sydney airport on Monday.'

'Sandwiches like this can be had for five or six bucks in the city. It’s not really a surprise that food costs more at the airport because A), the rent is higher and B), there’s a captive market,' another added.

A third chimed in: 'I don’t think there’s ever an excuse to buy this... I’d rather fast for a day.'

Key Takeaways

• A retail and marketing expert has explained the reasons behind high airport prices for food and beverages. These include security clearances for staff, high staff turnover, and audits by the airport.
• Despite these reasons, some travellers suggest that retailers may take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ of travellers at airports.
• To avoid high prices at airports, travellers are advised to bring their own food or purchase food before going through security.

How about you? Have you had airport food? Was the price of the meal justified? Share your airport food stories with us in the comments below!

So there are extra costs. That's understandable. But the extent that the sites go to is not. There are costs, profit and greed and like the rest of big business greed comes first. As one lady has just said said, 'fast for the day. It will do you no harm.'

 

[Thecheesequeen]

It’s just occurred to me that franchises and multi-nationals don’t increase their prices at airports. I suppose they’re either bound by their franchise prices or can afford to absorb any extra costs.

 

[terri]

These may all be valid reasons for the prices but at the end of the day it is because they have a captive audience who feels that eating is a necessary way to fill their time while waiting. You will not starve for a few hours of waiting. Fill up before you go or buy some chewy and keep your mouth busy that way. Or pay the prices and accept that that's the way it is when travelling.

 

[Zoya]

I learnt a long time ago to either take some sandwiches with me or pick up potato chips etc from the supermarket prior to heading to the airport.

Same here.

 

[Tipsy]

Most of us have experienced this at some point – you're at the airport, you didn't have time for breakfast, and now your stomach is growling as you wait to board your flight.

So what do you do? You wander over to one of the airport food courts in hopes of finding something delicious and reasonably priced to tide you over until lunchtime. But alas, everything is expensive!

You might be wondering why everything costs so much more at airports than it does at regular grocery stores or cafes. Well, a retail expert has weighed in on the long-standing issue and admitted that it’s not as simple as people think...

One Australian traveller brought the shocking price they paid for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich at the airport to the attention of others and in no time, the news blew up on social media.

A traveller shared on social media that they paid an outrageous $12.50 at the airport for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Credit: Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, the traveller said they were charged a whopping $12.50 for the sandwich, which outraged many users (who vented their frustrations in the comments).

While some alleged that the airport prices are ‘unreasonable’, Queensland University of Technology Marketing Professor Gary Mortimer revealed there are actually a few reasons behind the high prices.

For starters, security clearances are needed for all staff members working behind counters in airside areas of airports.

Prof Mortimer explained: 'The main reasons are things like security clearances, because as soon as you go to the air side, and you have a team member behind the counter, they need to have security clearances and naturally that drives prices up.'

'The other challenge is these workers tend to move around quite a lot.'

'So, it might be a casual worker who will work for a while and then quit to work somewhere else, so then they need to employ a new person who needs to go through all the security checks again.'

Mortimer also revealed that retailers are often subjected to audits by the airport they're based in, which often raises the costs.

'Airports will charge the retailer for an audit,' he said.

'For example, they might check that if you have eight knives at the start of the day, you still have eight by the end of the day.'

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of parking is another reason for the steep prices of airport food and drinks.

The cost of employing staff to work at the airport also contributes.

And despite the circumstances surrounding the prices of airport food and drinks, Mortimer claims that retailers sometimes take advantage of the 'captive audience'.

'So, once you’ve gone through screening you can’t exactly go back, so you don’t really have any other options,' he continued.

'Possibly when international borders reopened, and there were only a small number of cafés open, there may have been a bit of profiteering.'

'But now there are lots of options and alternatives at international airports, so it is more just simply costs that normal businesses outside of an airport sector don’t have to face.'

Others have also shared their personal accounts of the 'unreasonable' prices of airport food.

One person shared: 'I paid $18 for a pint in Sydney airport on Monday.'

'Sandwiches like this can be had for five or six bucks in the city. It’s not really a surprise that food costs more at the airport because A), the rent is higher and B), there’s a captive market,' another added.

A third chimed in: 'I don’t think there’s ever an excuse to buy this... I’d rather fast for a day.'

Key Takeaways

• A retail and marketing expert has explained the reasons behind high airport prices for food and beverages. These include security clearances for staff, high staff turnover, and audits by the airport.
• Despite these reasons, some travellers suggest that retailers may take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ of travellers at airports.
• To avoid high prices at airports, travellers are advised to bring their own food or purchase food before going through security.

How about you? Have you had airport food? Was the price of the meal justified? Share your airport food stories with us in the comments below!

it is also the cost of rent for your shop at the airports, The Airports authority are a extremely greedy bunch... the best solution is to take your OWN FOOD AND DRINK with you, its just a matter of a little bit of extra planning unless of course one is one of the filthy rich and dont give a shit

 

[Penny4]

Food, drinks and a bottle of water have always been expensive at airports in Australia & around the world.
You pay $ for the ease of convenience.
It comes down to a personal option if you buy it or not.

 

[JayKay]

The exorbitant prices are a rip-off, but purchases at airports have always been so.
You have a choice.....go prepared, go without, or go and pay.

 

[Ricci]

We always knew when we were going on holiday or on an adventure as we splashed out and had a fancy hot chocolate. Never bought any food though, couldn't afford the interest payments on the loan required!

 

[Ziggy]

Our scientific community love to create businesses out of thin air. Security clearance, human rights etc and the reason is most likely coming down to the price of a lettuce. Of course we can blame politicians for it anyway.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Who buys airport food ? It's worth going hungry cause it always looks very sad and stale.

 

[Michaelw]

Most of us have experienced this at some point – you're at the airport, you didn't have time for breakfast, and now your stomach is growling as you wait to board your flight.

So what do you do? You wander over to one of the airport food courts in hopes of finding something delicious and reasonably priced to tide you over until lunchtime. But alas, everything is expensive!

You might be wondering why everything costs so much more at airports than it does at regular grocery stores or cafes. Well, a retail expert has weighed in on the long-standing issue and admitted that it’s not as simple as people think...

One Australian traveller brought the shocking price they paid for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich at the airport to the attention of others and in no time, the news blew up on social media.

A traveller shared on social media that they paid an outrageous $12.50 at the airport for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Credit: Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, the traveller said they were charged a whopping $12.50 for the sandwich, which outraged many users (who vented their frustrations in the comments).

While some alleged that the airport prices are ‘unreasonable’, Queensland University of Technology Marketing Professor Gary Mortimer revealed there are actually a few reasons behind the high prices.

For starters, security clearances are needed for all staff members working behind counters in airside areas of airports.

Prof Mortimer explained: 'The main reasons are things like security clearances, because as soon as you go to the air side, and you have a team member behind the counter, they need to have security clearances and naturally that drives prices up.'

'The other challenge is these workers tend to move around quite a lot.'

'So, it might be a casual worker who will work for a while and then quit to work somewhere else, so then they need to employ a new person who needs to go through all the security checks again.'

Mortimer also revealed that retailers are often subjected to audits by the airport they're based in, which often raises the costs.

'Airports will charge the retailer for an audit,' he said.

'For example, they might check that if you have eight knives at the start of the day, you still have eight by the end of the day.'

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of parking is another reason for the steep prices of airport food and drinks.

The cost of employing staff to work at the airport also contributes.

And despite the circumstances surrounding the prices of airport food and drinks, Mortimer claims that retailers sometimes take advantage of the 'captive audience'.

'So, once you’ve gone through screening you can’t exactly go back, so you don’t really have any other options,' he continued.

'Possibly when international borders reopened, and there were only a small number of cafés open, there may have been a bit of profiteering.'

'But now there are lots of options and alternatives at international airports, so it is more just simply costs that normal businesses outside of an airport sector don’t have to face.'

Others have also shared their personal accounts of the 'unreasonable' prices of airport food.

One person shared: 'I paid $18 for a pint in Sydney airport on Monday.'

'Sandwiches like this can be had for five or six bucks in the city. It’s not really a surprise that food costs more at the airport because A), the rent is higher and B), there’s a captive market,' another added.

A third chimed in: 'I don’t think there’s ever an excuse to buy this... I’d rather fast for a day.'

Key Takeaways

• A retail and marketing expert has explained the reasons behind high airport prices for food and beverages. These include security clearances for staff, high staff turnover, and audits by the airport.
• Despite these reasons, some travellers suggest that retailers may take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ of travellers at airports.
• To avoid high prices at airports, travellers are advised to bring their own food or purchase food before going through security.

How about you? Have you had airport food? Was the price of the meal justified? Share your airport food stories with us in the comments below!

Why are they charging customers for these expenses to employ staff it’s the buisiness costs if they can’t afford to cover it then they need to sell their buisiness incompetent management use excuses for their failure