NEW DELHI: The pocket friendly Udan Yatri café, which permits the commoner to enjoy beverages and snacks at airports without burning a hole in one’s pocket, will be established at more airports in the country in future, said Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu. Similarly, the Flybrary concept inside flights and airports, which facilitates free access to books, would also be extended, he said.
Delivering a talk after launching the book, `Above and Beyond – exploring the amazing world of Aviation’ authored by the DIG, CISF, Hyderabad airport, Shiv Kumar Mohanka, Naidu said, “A cup of tea is available inside an airport for Rs 10 while a cup of coffee or samosa is price at Rs 20. The prices at Udan Yatri café are even lesser than the cost of items at railway stations. It is aimed at ensuring that it fits the budget of low income travellers too.” An official told this paper that a sweet is available for Rs 20 here while the water bottle is priced at Rs 10.
Udan Yatri cafes have been launched at seven airports in the country to overwhelming response from flyers. While the first such café was inaugurated on December 19, 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, the second one was launched at Chennai airport on February 27, 2025. Since then, they have opened shop at Pune, Bhubaneshwar, Ahmedabad, Hollongi and Vijayawada International Airport.
Referring to the FLYBRARY concept at Biju International Airport at Bhubaneshwar, the Minister said there were plans to extend the concept to more airports to encourage the habit of reading.
Lauding the comprehensive knowledge that Mohanka’s book offered on aviation, Naidu said that it would be placed at the Flybraries that the Ministry plans to create across airports so that the public gain an understanding of the aviation sector.
Flybrary was the brain child of Bakul Foundation in association with the Airports Authority of India. There are two shelves at the airport, one at departure and another at arrivals with books and magazines in English and Hindi.
A flyer can pick up a book, read it and return it to the shelf or take it along and return it to the Foundation. Public can also bring in their personal books and leave it here for others. Launched in April 2023, it came to the limelight only in February 2025 due to news reports
Mohanka's 454-page book, printed by Juris Press, touches on all aspects of the aviation industry. Top aviation and security officials lauded the book.It is priced at Rs 600.