It’s no secret that when travelers go to an airport, they can expect to fork up a good chunk of change from checked bag fees to dining. One airport, Cancun International Airport, even had a crackdown last year on excessive airport taxi fees.
Many travelers are also used to paying a bit more for food and retail shopping at an airport. However, an investigation into an American Airlines hub in Florida found that prices are so high that it’s breaking a government-implemented price rule.
A local news outlet found that this particular U.S. airport sees excessive prices for products that are over double what customers can pay outside the airport.
Investigation Finds An American Airlines Hub Is Overcharging For Goods
Several items sold inside Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) exceed the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s (JAA) “street pricing plus 10 percent” rule, according to a May 7 investigation by Action News Jax.
The Jacksonville, Florida, airport, which has more American Airlines flights and passengers than any other carrier, is owned and overseen by the JAA. All retail shops and restaurants have concession agreements with the government agency.
The agency explains exactly how this rule works in a frequently asked questions section on the airport’s website.
“Simply put, these vendors can charge no more than 10% above what a similar store off the airport would charge,” the agency said.
But the news outlet has receipts painting a different reality. A USB-C charger sold for $27.99 inside the airport, but the same item was priced at just $9.88 at a nearby Walmart — a markup of 183%. Sensodyne toothpaste cost $5.39 at the airport compared to $2.00 outside the terminal, a 170% jump.
Meanwhile, a six-count pack of Tylenol PM was selling for $5.99 inside the airport, while a 24-count package off-site cost nearly the same amount — translating to a unit price markup of 301%.
The local outlet provided a further price breakdown for a range of products, and not all vendors were found to be in violation of the agreement.
Breakdown Of Item Prices Across Jacksonville International Airport
Not every airport vendor exceeded the pricing cap. A medium Hook and Ladder sandwich from Firehouse Subs and a turkey club from Angie’s Subs were both priced exactly at the allowed “street plus 10 percent” limit. But Starbucks went beyond that threshold.
A hot coffee and butter croissant cost $9.25 inside the airport, compared to $7.35 at a nearby location. The coffee alone was priced 31% higher than the off-airport comparison.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority says on its website that staff “periodically monitors prices and compares them to appropriate locations.” However, a spokesperson told Action News Jax that the agency does not keep logs and only looks into pricing issues when passengers file complaints.
After the outlet reached out about the pricing discrepancies, the airport said it has since alerted vendors to review their prices and make sure they comply with airport policy.
It also remains unclear if infractions mean consequences.
TheTravel reached out to a JAA spokesperson to ask whether there are repercussions for breaking this agreement, but did not immediately receive a response in time for publication.
The local Jacksonville outlet compiled all of the items it found to have discrepancies — both good and bad — with off-airport prices.
Store name | Item description | Airport price (before tax) | Off-airport price (before tax) | % change | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Firehouse Subs | Medium Hook & Ladder Sub | $10.59 | $9.95 | 6 | |
Starbucks | Grande 16oz Hot Coffee / Medium Roast (Pike Place) | $3.85 | $2.95 | 31 | |
Starbucks | Plain Croissant | $4.75 | $3.95 | 20 | |
In Motion | USB cord (c to c) | $27.99 | $9.88 | 183 | |
Travel@ease (Paradies) | Snickers candy bar (Regular Size) | $4.49 | $2.78 | 62 | |
Travel@ease (Paradies) | Smartfood Popcorn (6 oz white cheddar/ black bag) | $4.35 | $3.54 | 23 | |
Travel@ease (Paradies) | Travel size Toothpaste (Sensodyne) | $5.39 | $2.00 | 170 | |
Travel@ease (Paradies) | Travel size Tylenol (PM, 6 caplets at airport, 24 at Walmart) | $5.99 | $5.97 | .34 | 301% markup based on units |
Angie’s Subs | Turkey Club | $10.99 | $9.99 | 9 | |
Travel@ease (Paradies) | Pure Life Water 23.7 oz | $3.89 | Compare $3.79 for 12 pack of 16.9 oz bottles/or 2 for $4.00 Smart Water 23.7 oz / or $1.25 for Pure Life 23.7 oz from Instacart | ||
Travel@ease (Paradies) | Pepsi 20 oz | $3.89 | $2.79 | 39 |
So what did vendors have to say in response to this investigation’s findings?
Response From Vendors When Asked About The Airport’s Price Differences
The electronic store In Motion is managed by Marshall Retail Group (MRG). Despite the findings, when the Jacksonville outlet contacted the company’s PR representative, WHSmith North America said in a statement that its prices do not exceed the 10% rule.
“WHSmith North America has a dedicated internal pricing compliance team that monitors, verifies, and promptly addresses any non-compliance issues, ensuring products are priced in accordance with airport expectations, including maintaining no more than a 10% variance above comparable street pricing,” the company told the outlet.
When Action News Jax reached out to the company that manages Travel@ease, Paradies Lagardère, it said, in a similar vein, that its prices are based on those of local stores outside the airport.
“To ensure fairness and accuracy, our pricing is established by evaluating a broad aggregate of comparable local ‘street’ retailers, including convenience stores, area gift shops, and specialty transit hubs, which share similar operational footprints and product offerings,” the company told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Avolta, which manages Starbucks, Firehouse, and Angie’s Subs in the airport, did not respond to the outlet’s inquiry.
So, while travelers already expect to pay a premium in airports, this investigation suggests that even airports with formal pricing limits may still not be preventing vendors from charging far more than passengers would pay outside the terminal.
Source link
