Flights can certainly be expensive–unless you follow our guide to finding cheap flights, of course. Tack on the cost of what you’re spending to eat and drink in the airport while you’re waiting to board your flight and you’ve got yourself a pretty hefty price tag just to get yourself from one place to another. And unfortunately it’s about to get even more expensive…
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have proposed expanding the minimum wage policy for the thousands of airport workers at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty Airports. The new policy would provide three upfront increases of $0.75 in January 2025, July 2025, and January 2026. These would be the first wage increases since September 2023.
And, beginning January 2027, minimum wage for airport workers would rise annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index. Wages would jump to $25 in September 2032 if they’re not already there.
While this is good news for airport workers, it’s unfortunately bad news for travelers as with the increase of wages comes the increase of food and drink prices.
To offset the rising wages, the Port Authority also proposed allowing concessionaires to increase their prices so long as they don’t exceed 15% more than the local “street prices” for comparable products–prices can’t exceed 10% more than street prices under the Port Authority’s current policy. The proposal also allows restaurants and shops to add a 3% surcharge.
We thought a price tag of $17 on a bag of pistachios was already bad enough, though if Airline CEO Michael O’Leary’s proposed two-drink limit at airport bars is approved you won’t be spending thatttt much on drinks, at least not alcoholic ones!
The Port Authority said the price increases will help concessions combat the “added costs of doing business in the airport environment, which include unique factors such as additional security, training, logistics, and higher construction expenses.” The announcement also coincides with the need for additional skilled airport workers as new or expanded terminals open as part of the Port Authority’s multi-billion-dollar redevelopment of JFK and Newark Liberty International airports.
Hochul stated:
We are taking a significant step forward in ensuring that the hardworking individuals who serve in the region’s airports are paid fairly and equitably for their contributions…This proposal guarantees annual wage increases tied to the cost of living, providing workers with the stability they need to thrive, while ensuring their pay rises alongside the economy.
Beyond the wage increase, Hochul added that she “will also be introducing an amendment to the Healthy Terminals Act during session next year to improve benefits for [airport] workers.”
Next steps would be for the agency’s commissioners to approve the proposal. If approved, travelers should prepare for a 7.5% increase in airport food and drink prices by January 2025.