Cardiff Airport managers defend baby milk cost
15.09.07
Cardiff Airport has been criticised after their decision to charge parents inconvenienced by tightened security double the supermarket price for baby milk. The decision follows fellow TBI operated airport Luton charging passengers £1 for the clear plastic bags they are required to put liquids they are carrying in hand luggage in.
Last years liquid bomb plot resulted in a ban on liquids in hand luggage, which was relaxed slightly in November, with passengers allowed to carry up to 10 liquid items in their hand luggage, as long as they are in containers of less than 100ml and carried in a clear plastic bag.
Although they can also carry liquid baby food or sterilised water sufficient for the journey through airport security, the accompanying adult is required to verify it by tasting it in front of security officers.
The new arrangement caused delays at security checkpoints and was a particular problem for families whose flights were delayed, and Cardiff Airport responded by starting to sell 250ml cartons of baby milk to passengers who have already passed the security barrier, to make life easier for parents travelling with infants.
However, the cartons cost £1 each - more than double the 48p charged at Asda supermarkets for exactly the same SMA products - and the airport has come in for some media led criticism.
Cardiff Airport's marketing manager, Peter Phillips, responded to the criticism: 'We're not a national supermarket chain and can't buy in their volumes. We have to purchase small amounts from a wholesaler. There's no profit being made on this product by the airport. It's being provided as a customer service.'
Most things seem to be more expensive at airports - as a recent advertising standards ruling on a BAA ad found - so we don't think that passengers would find the price difference too much of a problem. We have yet to hear from any that do.
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