South Korean airport food prices rise up to 45.5% amid high rent

airport food prices Korea Airports Corp. rent-to-sales ratio consumer inflation airport concessions

Food and beverage prices at airports operated by the Korea Airports Corp. have increased by as much as 45.5% over the last five years. Data released by Rep. Kim Mi-ae shows that between August 2021 and August 2026, various menu items saw significant price hikes.

The highest increase was recorded for bibimbap at Cheongju International Airport, which rose from 11,000 won to 16,000 won. Other notable increases include tonkatsu at Cheongju Airport, ramyeon at Ulsan Airport, and udon at Gimpo Airport.

High rent is cited as a primary driver for these price increases. Analysis of Korea Airports Corp. data reveals that rent accounted for 31.9% of total sales for airport food and beverage tenants from 2021 to 2025. Among 96 surveyed businesses, 28 had a rent-to-sales ratio exceeding 40%, while 10 businesses saw rent consume more than half of their total revenue. Specifically, a Dunkin' Donuts at Gimpo International Airport's international terminal reported a rent-to-sales ratio of 65.6%.

Entities

Cheongju International Airport · Gimpo International Airport · Jeju International Airport · Kim Mi-ae · Korea Airports Corp.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Rent accounted for 31.9% of total sales for airport food and beverage tenants between 2021 and 2025. www.kyeonggi.com · www.namdonews.com · www.koreaherald.com
[● 3 SOURCES] A Dunkin' Donuts at Gimpo International Airport's international terminal recorded a rent-to-sales ratio of 65.6%. www.kyeonggi.com · www.namdonews.com · www.koreaherald.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Food and beverage prices at airports operated by Korea Airports Corp. rose by up to 45.5% between August 2021 and August 2026. www.kyeonggi.com · www.namdonews.com · www.koreaherald.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Rep. Kim Mi-ae released data from the Korea Airports Corp. regarding food and beverage price increases. www.kyeonggi.com · www.namdonews.com · www.koreaherald.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Ten out of 96 food-related businesses had a rent-to-sales ratio exceeding 50%. www.kyeonggi.com · www.namdonews.com · www.koreaherald.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Bibimbap at Cheongju Airport increased from 11,000 won to 16,000 won. www.kyeonggi.com · www.namdonews.com · www.koreaherald.com

Sources

공항 식음료 가격 5년 새 최대 45. 5% ‘껑충’…비빔밥 최고 1만6천원 [www.kyeonggi.com]

1 day ago

‘공항 밥값은 왜 비쌀까’ 식음료값 5년새 최대 45. 5%↑…매출 31. 9%는 임대료 - 남도일보 [www.namdonews.com]

1 day ago

Food, drinks at airport get pricier over 5 years: report [www.koreaherald.com]

1 day ago