Taking a step towards democratising air travel, Pune International Airport on Monday witnessed the launch of the ‘Udan Yatri Cafe’ at its new terminal, offering quality food and beverages at highly affordable rates.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation and Pune MP, Murlidhar Mohol, inaugurated the facility, signalling the government’s intent to create a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable air travel environment in India.Strategically located near the check-in counters at the new departure terminal, the cafe has been designed to serve travellers with essential refreshments without the premium pricing typical of airport outlets. With tea and drinking water priced at ₹10 and items such as coffee, samosas, and traditional sweets available for ₹20, the Udan Yatri Cafe makes quality food options accessible to all segments of society, particularly the burgeoning middle class and passengers travelling under the UDAN scheme. Notably, the cafe will be operated entirely by an all-women team, reinforcing the commitment to gender equity in public infrastructure management.
The Udan Yatri Cafe initiative, piloted successfully at airports in Kolkata,
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Ahmedabad, and Chennai, is part of a broader vision under the Ministry of Civil Aviation to humanise air travel experiences while supporting sustainable urban development. Airports, once regarded as exclusive zones for premium services, are now being reimagined as egalitarian spaces where affordability and comfort are prioritised alongside operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Such interventions also align closely with India’s net-zero carbon aspirations, given that equitable public amenities discourage excessive commercialisation and promote more mindful consumption.
Speaking at the launch, Murlidhar Mohol emphasised the significance of such initiatives in making air travel a more viable option for a larger cross-section of the population. Pune, a city witnessing rapid growth both demographically and economically, stands to benefit immensely from measures that enhance infrastructure inclusivity without compromising on quality. The addition of the Udan Yatri Cafe not only addresses a long-standing gap in affordable airport services but also signals a shift towards a more citizen-centric approach in public transport hubs.The Pune International Airport, already a critical gateway for business and leisure travel in western
India, is steadily advancing efforts to meet global benchmarks of sustainability and service excellence. By combining affordable access with sustainable operations and equitable employment practices, the Udan Yatri Cafe serves as a microcosm of the progressive transformation underway in India’s aviation sector.While the full impact of the initiative will unfold over time, the early response from travellers suggests that the Udan Yatri Cafe could set a new precedent for airports nationwide, reinforcing that modern infrastructure can and should serve the broadest possible spectrum of society without environmental or social compromise.
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