NGO organizations have brought the matter of the cost of food in Ben-Gurion International Airport to a Knesset Committee. The committee heard reports of how passengers are “stuck” in the airport and are left without alternatives if they wish to eat or drink. They explained that a cup of coffee in the duty free area is 15 shekels while in another branch of Aroma elsewhere in Israel, the exact cup of coffee is 8 shekels. Aroma officials responding to the report explained that operating costs and rent are much higher at the airport than in Tel Aviv or elsewhere. The committee heard that sandwiches cost 25 shekels and more, some even selling for 35 shekels.

At Arcafe, coffee in the terminal is 17 shekels a cup, 16 in duty free and 14 in its Ramat Aviv Mall store. Director-General of the Airports Authority Yaakov Ganot was not impressed with the data, telling the committee that comparing the price of coffee in the airport to outside the airport is like comparing the price of cucumbers to apartments. Ganot added that no one is prevented from bringing food along to eat in the lounge while waiting for a flight. He added there are water fountains providing cool clean water as well as vending machines selling coffee for less money.

Those operating eateries in the airport explain the stores operate around-the-clock and at times they must transport employees and incur other costs that are not relevant outside the airport, hence the need to charge more. Niv Zilberstein, who owns the Pizza Hut in the airport added “We pay on the average of six times the cost of a store in a mall. In retrospect it was not the wisest decision in the world to open in Ben-Gurion”.

Shachar Turgeman, the CEO of the Daka 90 Tourist Company launched a website to protest the price gouging, demanding the government intervene to lower the price of basics, including a cup of coffee. Attorney Ehud Peleg of the Israel Consumer Council adds that outside there is Cofix which sells a 5 shekel cup of coffee but in Ben-Gurion there is no competition. The council feels the airport stores should be government regulated to protect the consumer.

Interestingly, while some buy coffee for 17 NIS a cup in the airport, Cofix continues reporting success, opening additional branches http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/190253/cofix-draws-many-with-its-5-nis-coffee-and-much-more.html which offer coffee and lots more for 5 NIS. There are now branches in Jerusalem too.

There is now another newcomer, Coffee Express, which is going to be selling coffee for 4 NIS a cup. This company has two branches at present, one on Even Givrol Street in Tel Aviv and a second in Ramat Gan. Operators insist they are giving the same quality coffee and milk found in the others stores, insisting they learned that at 4 NIS a cup, their profit remains close to 100%.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)