Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Economics of delayed flights?

Just like any other business trip, I started for the airport at sharp 3.30pm to get to the airport an hour before the departure, remember now they close the check in counters 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure. While on my way, I received a text notification informing me about the delay in flight by an hour and a quarter... Hmmm.... Sometimes, its good to be late.... oh how much I wished I started a bit later, I could have finished one report and a few emails.... Yup... So I don't have a BBRY.... try not to mess up the work-life balance. I can live without checking my emails for a few hours!

So on reaching the airport, I see more chaos right from the check in counters to the security checks. Obviously, some people are quite comfortable being really late for their flights. Well, its almost like some of them are doing the airline and other co-passengers a favour by boarding on the plane!! So all those whose flights are the first to depart get to jump queues and get a escorted under strict guard by the airline staff! Now that's what I call VIP treatment for being late.

Coming back to the point of delayed flights; since many have switched to no frill airlines, the cafe's, eateries, coffee shops etc. have had a boom in their business. With airport prices being marked up to anywhere between two to three times, its good return of investment for them. Apart from food, many of the major airports have an almost fully functional and elaborate shopping areas, selling from the more common perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, books to even massages, flat screen TVs, laptops and the works....

So the bottom line, while people wait for their flight..... They are enticed to eat, drink and shop!
 So next time you are window shopping at the airport and think you want to shop something.... ask yourself- Do you really need it?

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