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Jul 2, 2009 6:41 pm US/Central
DFW Airport Caps Price Of Some Bottled Drinks
Action Follows Complaints From Travelers
Reporting
Jack Fink
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
You know the rules. You must throw away your bottled water, or any drink, before going through airport security. So, if you want a drink after passing through security, you are forced to purchase one from an airport vendor.
"There's really no other option," said traveler Kristin Higgins. She bought her bottled water after arriving at the airport. "It's pretty ridiculous."
When DFW Airport recently surveyed travelers, they found that 83 percent of people thought that a bottle of water cost more there than elsewhere. Even Fort Worth mayor Mike Moncrief expressed his frustration about water prices at an airport board meeting on Thursday.
"Let's be fair about this, folks," Moncrief said.
The board capped prices that concessionaries can charge for a 20-ounce bottle of water, and other 20-ounce drinks by Pepsi, at $2.25. It's still $2.00 in the vending machines. Board member Forrest Smith said, "It was higher than we felt like it ought to be, and we had a number of complaints about it, so we did put a cap on it."
After looking into the matter, the airport said it found two or three concessionaires who were overcharging for water, a violation of airport policy.
The average price for a 20-to-22.5-ounce bottle of water at DFW Airport is $2.21, more than most similar airports. Houston's Bush Intercontinental is higher at $2.25. Chicago O'Hare's average is $2.18. Boston and Houston Hobby are $2.00. Newark is $1.99. Atlanta is $1.85. LAX is $1.84. Seattle is $1.79. And the average at Washington Dulles is only $1.76.
With the new cap, DFW Airport said the average price will drop to $1.89. The new cap, only on 20-ounce bottles of water and other drinks, goes into effect within the next 60 days.
"I think its an excellent idea. I think we need regulations," said Higgins. "It makes sense."
Meanwhile, other passengers refuse to buy bottled water. Instead, they are bringing empty bottles and filling them up at airport water fountains.
Also on Thursday, the airport board agreed to give five concessionaires a break in rent for up to six months because of falling traffic in certain areas of the terminals. The total cost to the airport is nearly $70,000.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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