The inexpensive and convenient 2-minute Maggi packets have gained popularity as a go-to solution for satisfying hunger or indulging in instant noodle cravings. However, if you decide to enjoy them at the airport, be prepared for a significant dent in your wallet. Sejal Sud, an entrepreneur and YouTuber, recently took to Twitter to express her astonishment at the exorbitant prices of this humble snack in airport establishments. Her tweet quickly went viral, sparking a lively online debate among netizens.
“The saga began with Sejal Sud tweeting about purchasing a plate of Maggi noodles. ‘I just bought Maggi for INR 193 at the airport, and I don’t know how to react. Why would anyone sell something like Maggi at such an inflated price,’ she said in the post on social media.” The content creator also attached her bill with the tweet.
Her post went viral in a flash, garnering over 736,000 views to date. Users, both frustrated with the exorbitant price tags on airport food and eager to delve into the economics of demand and revenue generation, joined the discussion.
Agreeing with Sud and lamenting costly items at the Airport, one user said, “also, forget about cooked food, did you check the price of the water bottle? 750ml will easily cost INR 60 (minimum).”
Another user, however, pointed out that the cost may not be so unreasonable when the factors affecting the price are considered. “Ma’am, Maggi costs INR 50, but to sell the same at the airport, it costs a lot of money as the cafe which sells Maggi needs to pay a huge deposit to set up that place, pay huge rent and also some part of the revenue to the airport. And on top of that, pay the staff who make Maggi and get some profit for their investment,” the user wrote.
The debate on Twitter raged along these two lines, with the occasional humorists interjecting. For instance, one user wrote, “You could learn from us Gujaratis, we always carry Thepla all over the world.”
Although there was no unanimous agreement on whether Maggi was overpriced, the initial tweet sparked a lively and engaging conversation.