Maybe you should wait for food on the plane: As you know, one of the favorite moments of Israeli passengers just before they take off to another attractive spot in the world is to sit with a cup of coffee and a croissant after purchasing duty free or eat an enjoyable meal at one of the food chains in the complex.
For many passengers, this is no small expense even before their vacation begins, since the prices of meals at the airport are very high than at chain branches throughout the country.
Our examination shows that meals and various items are more expensive at Ben Gurion Airport, except for a few products that have entered price control at Ben Gurion Airport, such as a small bottle of mineral water, a regular croissant and more. This gap can be very significant. It can start from 3.3% and reach more than 30% when it comes to deals that are not valid at Ben Gurion Airport.
Aroma
At the Aroma chain, a cup of cappuccino coffee will cost you 15 shekels, compared to 12 shekels sitting or 11 shekels for takeaway. If you buy coffee to take away at regular stores, that's a gap of 36.3%.
At Ben Gurion Airport there is no option for coffee and pastry at a cost of NIS 22 as in other branches in Israel. So, for example, a cappuccino and a regular croissant will cost NIS 27 at Ben Gurion Airport, or NIS 31 for coffee and pastry (chocolate croissant) – a difference of up to 40%.
Espresso costs about NIS 8 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to NIS 9 for sitting in branches or NIS 8 for takeaway at branches. In other words, the price at Ben Gurion Airport is the same or cheaper, if you take your coffee to take away in both places. Carrot juice costs NIS 18 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to NIS 16 at branches, which is 12.5% more expensive.
A regular croissant costs NIS 12 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to NIS 13 at branches – meaning that the price at Ben Gurion Airport is 8.3% cheaper. A chocolate croissant costs NIS 16 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to NIS 13 at branches – a difference of 23%.
Photo: Dudi Moskowitz // Will cost you more in the field,
Burekas cheese costs NIS 17 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to NIS 15 at branches – a difference of 13.3%. A tuna salad will cost NIS 45 at Ben Gurion Airport (compared to NIS 41) – a difference of 9.7%. Half an omelet sandwich at Ben Gurion Airport - 20 shekels (compared to 18 shekels) - a difference of 11.1%.
Aroma said in response: "In accordance with the terms of the Airports Authority's tender, the risk inherent as a result of the construction, maintenance and operation costs at Ben Gurion Airport is significantly higher and fundamentally different from any other branch, hence the price adjustment."
McDonald's
At McDonald's, you can find a Big Mac meal at Ben Gurion Airport for NIS 42, compared to NIS 39 at the other McDonald's branches – a difference of 7.6%. A Mc Royal meal costs NIS 52 at Ben Gurion Airport (compared to NIS 49 at branches) – a difference of 6.1%. Children's meals at Ben Gurion Airport - NIS 29.5 (compared to NIS 28) - a difference of 5.3%.
9 Mac nuggets cost NIS 33 at Ben Gurion Airport (compared to NIS 31) - a difference of 6.4%.
A cup of cappuccino at the chain's branch at Ben Gurion Airport is actually cheaper than at the other branches - 7.5 shekels compared to 8 shekels. A regular bottle of mineral water is also cheaper here - 8 shekels compared to 9 in regular branches. A regular-sized Coca-Cola cup is the same as the other branches – 11 shekels.
The price of blast ice cream is also the same here as in the other branches - 17 shekels. At Ben Gurion Airport, there is currently no ice cream in a cup for NIS 5 - but this price, which exists in the other branches, will be compared here in two weeks.
McDonald's said: "McDonald's prices at the airport are lower than competitors operating in the complex, and we are proud to offer our finest cappuccino at the lowest price in the terminal - only NIS 7.5.
McDonald's Branch,
"Prices at Ben Gurion Airport are on average 5% higher than the chain's menu, and are 50% lower than the gap permitted by the Authority's tender. The price stems from the huge rent charged at the airport, the operating costs of 24 hours a day and the cost of transportation for the employees."
Burger King
Burger King's branch is located in Terminal 1. A woofer meal at Ben Gurion Airport costs NIS 53, compared to NIS 51 at the chain's other branches – a difference of 3.9%. For a double woofer meal at Ben Gurion Airport, you pay NIS 62 (compared to NIS 60) – a difference of 3.3%. A rodeo woofer meal costs NIS 55 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared with NIS 53 – a difference of 3.7%. A children's meal will cost you NIS 30 at Ben Gurion Airport (compared to NIS 28) – a difference of 7.1%.
A regular-sized Coke Zero costs NIS 12 (compared to NIS 11) - a difference of 9%.
Burger King's response: "This is a gap of only a few shekels, stemming from the gap in the operation and maintenance of the restaurants at Ben Gurion Airport, which, as we know, work 24/7, including on Saturdays, holidays and nights. Hence, the costs at Ben Gurion Airport are significantly higher than at any other branch. The chain will continue to offer the most attractive prices for its customers in all its branches."
ILANS
A small cappuccino at Ben Gurion Airport is cheaper than at the other branches of the chain - so a small cappuccino costs NIS 13.7 at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to NIS 14 at the chain's other branches; A large cappuccino costs NIS 18 (compared to NIS 17) – a difference of 5.8%.
Tuna salad at Ben Gurion Airport costs NIS 44 (compared to NIS 42) – a difference of 4.7%. An omelet sandwich at Ben Gurion Airport - NIS 39 (compared to NIS 36) - a difference of 8.3%.
A can of Coke at Ben Gurion Airport - NIS 14 (compared to NIS 13) - a difference of 7.6%. A small bottle of mineral water at Ben Gurion Airport - 9.8 NIS (compared to 10).
The price of a regular iced coffee is the same at Ben Gurion Airport and the other branches – NIS 19, but a large iced coffee is sold at Ben Gurion Airport for NIS 25 (compared to NIS 23) – a difference of 8.6%.
ILANS said: "The reason for the discrepancies in prices is the operating costs at Ben Gurion Airport, which are much higher: for example, transportation of employees in three shifts, which does not exist in the chain's other branches, the cost of employees for night hours, and so on. In fact, the difference between prices at Ben Gurion Airport and the network across the country was supposed to be at least 10%, but we are managing to reduce it as much as possible."
Coffee Coffee
The Ben Gurion Airport branch operates in Terminal 1. In some of the dishes you can actually find lower prices at Ben Gurion Airport, which may be influenced by the fact that the chain offers branches throughout the country with waiters, so it is a longer sitting.
For example, classic toast at Ben Gurion Airport costs 40 shekels, compared to 55 shekels at branches. Tuna salad costs 45 shekels at Ben Gurion Airport, compared to 68 shekels at branches. Burekas cheese costs NIS 17 at Ben Gurion Airport (compared to NIS 18). Chocolate pastry at Ben Gurion Airport - 17 NIS (compared to 16 NIS at branches).
a small cappuccino at Ben Gurion Airport - 8.5 NIS (compared to 15); Large cappuccino - 16 NIS (compared to 18). The price of iced coffee is the same at Ben Gurion Airport and at branches - 18 NIS. Cold chocolate is more expensive at Ben Gurion Airport by one shekel than at branches - 16 shekels compared to 15, a difference of 6.6%.
Dining space will be expanded
Following the surge in the number of passengers at Ben Gurion Airport, which is expected to handle about 25 million passengers this year, the dining areas at Ben Gurion Airport will be expanded at an investment of millions of shekels. In order to prepare for this, the Israel Authority published a series of commercial tenders for the addition of cafes and restaurants in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. As part of the upgrade, the mix of cafes and restaurants will be expanded, as well as the mix and range of products, alongside the expansion of business class complexes and hospitality lounges.
Duty free at Ben Gurion Airport on the way to expand, photo: Yossi Zeliger
Among the tenders that will be published: operating a duty-free café in Terminal 3 and Terminal 1; operating cafes in arms B and C; operating a pizzeria in Terminal 1; operating a pastry shop in the arrivals hall in Terminal 3; and operating a café in a skyscraper hall in Terminal 3.
For the first time, a tender will also be published to operate a complex selling packaged fast prepared food, as well as tenders for an Asian restaurant, deli and more.
The new tenders will be added to the existing dining places at Ben Gurion Airport. They will encourage competition between franchisees and will include a discount from target prices for the basic basket of products that will be expanded soon.
This basket, whose prices are regulated and displayed on conspicuous signs everywhere, currently includes coffee, pastry, a sandwich and soft drinks.
The expansion of the basket to additional products is currently being considered.
According to the terms of the tender, the winning chains will be required to sell all their products at the same price as in the other branches.
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