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Food prices set to rise over 7% at New York's major airports

Policy

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By Sky Industry News

Nov 16, 2024

Food and drink prices at New York's three main airports are expected to rise by more than 7% next year. The increase is part of a plan to offset the costs of higher wages and improved benefits for airport workers, according to reports from The New York Times and NJ Advance.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have introduced a proposal that would lead to these price adjustments as early as January. Murphy stated, "Our region’s airport system serves as one of the nation’s largest distribution and transportation hubs, but it is only as efficient as the men and women who work each day to keep operations running smoothly. Airport work is a difficult and demanding job that deserves our recognition and our thanks, which is why I am pleased with today’s proposed per hour wage increases and look forward to seeing them approved."

Currently, wages are capped at $19 an hour but could increase up to $25 an hour by September 2032 if not reached earlier through annual increments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Starting in January 2025, there will be wage increases of 75 cents per hour every six months until January 2026, after which they will adjust based on CPI.

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Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority, remarked that "Ensuring livable wages will improve worker satisfaction and increase staff retention, in turn enhancing customer service and advancing our goal of a world-class airport experience from curb to concession to gate."

The changes include raising the cap on food and drink prices from 10% above street level pricing outside airports to 15%. Additionally, vendors may add a surcharge limited to 3% for employee benefits on pre-tax bills. This means prices could rise by approximately 7.5%, impacting items like meals at airport restaurants. For example, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse at JFK might see menu items such as a cheeseburger with fries paired with chardonnay increasing from $46.50 to around $50.

Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority Board, emphasized that these price hikes are beneficial for local communities: "Our airports serve as international front doors for this region... Consistent and planned wage increases for airport workers improve morale and productivity as well as the quality of service for the millions of passengers who use our airports every year."