New York City airports propose raising concession prices and adding surcharge for improved worker benefits.
Travelers passing through the airports serving New York City may soon notice a significant increase in the prices of food and drinks. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, responsible for operating LaGuardia, Kennedy International, and Newark Liberty International airports, is considering rule changes that would allow restaurants and shops to raise their prices and add a 3 percent surcharge. This move is intended to help cover the rising costs of labor at these airports.
The proposed changes could lead to a 7.5 percent price hike in January, affecting the already high prices that have been a source of frustration for many travelers. For example, a cheeseburger and fries at Bobby Van’s steakhouse in Kennedy Airport currently costs $29.50, with a glass of chardonnay priced at $17. After the potential 7.5 percent increase, this meal could cost an additional $3.49, totaling around $50. Similarly, at LaGuardia Airport, prices such as $16 for chicken Caesar wraps and turkey-and-Swiss panini at a bar, and $15.99 for a 12-ounce bag of almonds at a shop, may see further increases.
The Port Authority has stated that these price hikes are necessary for the concessions to offset the rising wages and improved benefits for their employees. The agency, which regulates the businesses operating within the airport terminals, is proposing incremental raises in the minimum wage for workers at these facilities.
Source: The NY Times
