Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Airports are often a mix of convenience and chaos, a place where time flies fast and your wallet seems to empty even faster. This is especially true when it comes to food and beverage prices, as one recent experience at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3) vividly highlights.
While walking to the assigned gate, one traveler decided to grab a quick bite—a craving for siomai led them to a food stall, where they purchased five pieces for PHP100. Alongside this was a 500 mL bottle of Pocari Sweat, a logical choice to stay hydrated before the flight. However, what seemed like a typical pre-flight snack turned into a surprising and unsettling encounter.
When the cashier rang up the total, it came to PHP250. A breakdown of the prices revealed that while the siomai was reasonable at PHP100, the Pocari Sweat was priced at a whopping PHP150. A feeling of unease crept in—“There is no way this Pocari costs that much!”—but the traveler paid without question.
What followed, however, became the heart of the story. The cashier initially failed to provide an official receipt, a common yet troubling practice. When the traveler insisted on getting one, the cashier hesitated before admitting, “Ay, PHP130 pala yung Pocari.” This admission raised serious questions: Was the initial price a deliberate markup, or an honest mistake?
Lessons on Transparency and Accountability
The traveler’s takeaway was clear: always ask for an official receipt. Not only is it your right as a consumer, but it’s also a way to ensure accountability. This incident highlights a broader issue in airport businesses—not just inflated prices but potential unethical practices by individual staff.
In the Philippines, where even official prices are steep due to factors like rent, labor, and airport management’s share of gross income, such incidents exacerbate the frustration of travelers. The situation at NAIA T3 also touches on a deeper cultural and systemic problem. Unlike other international airports where prices are standardized and transparent, local airports sometimes create layers of inflation: the official inflated prices and the “unofficially inflated” versions imposed by unscrupulous staff.
Why Is Airport Food So Expensive?
Several factors contribute to the high costs of food and drinks at airports:
High Rent and Revenue Share: Airport management often charges tenants not just rent but also a percentage of their gross income, driving up operating costs.
Convenience Tax: Airports capitalize on the lack of alternatives for travelers, leading to a “captive audience” willing to pay more for convenience.
Logistics and Security: The cost of transporting goods to an airport and complying with strict security protocols adds to the overall price.
Labor and Utilities: Operating in a 24/7 high-traffic location like NAIA requires additional staffing and utilities, further increasing expenses.
The Philippine Airport Pricing Dilemma
Despite these justifications, the Philippines faces unique challenges. The dual pricing problem—official versus “unofficial”—reflects gaps in regulation and oversight. While airport management connects POS machines to their system to monitor sales, it seems enforcement of pricing transparency still leaves room for improvement.
What can be done? Stricter monitoring of tenants and employees is crucial. A clear standard for pricing, prominently displayed for all items, can minimize these “mistakes.” Moreover, fostering a culture where consumers demand receipts can deter potential abuses.
The Family Travel Debate: To Eat or Not to Eat at Airports
This scenario also opens up a lighter, yet relatable family debate. Should you eat before heading to the airport or indulge once you’re there?
For some, the practical approach is to eat a hearty meal before leaving home, avoiding the inflated prices altogether. Others, however, embrace the convenience and variety offered by airport food stalls. Whether it’s siomai, Cinnabon, or fast food, it’s a decision shaped by both budget and appetite.
Final Thoughts
The traveler’s experience at NAIA T3 underscores the need for vigilance as a consumer and greater accountability from airport businesses. While it’s easy to dismiss such incidents as part of the “airport experience,” they highlight broader systemic issues that affect both travelers and the country’s reputation.
As a traveler, asking for receipts and questioning prices is not just your right but a small act of resistance against unfair practices. For airport authorities, it’s high time to prioritize transparency and fairness, ensuring that both tenants and employees adhere to ethical standards.
So the next time you’re at the airport and hunger strikes, remember: a quick craving may come with a hefty price—literally and figuratively. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and, if possible, eat before you leave home.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
