If there’s one thing you should know about airports, it’s how costly everything can be. Many travellers try to spend less while waiting for their flights, even if they’re in another country. One Greek man went viral after claiming that Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) forced him to buy expensive mineral water after he was denied entry.
While his claims may be false, it’s not surprising that a bottle of mineral water can cost more at airports than in convenience stores. This local woman was not satisfied after finding out just how much she had to spend for a bottle of mineral water at KLIA Terminal 2.
Earlier this week, local TV host Chiong Pei Pei (蔣珮珮) posted a photo of a Spritzer mineral water bottle she purchased at KLIA Terminal 2. Much to her dismay, the item cost RM7.80. “KLIA 2 is a very unfriendly airport. The water dispensers are either broken or out of water. I can accept a bottle of water being sold for RM4 – RM5 at convenience stores, but RM7.80 per bottle? Maybe I’m just being narrow-minded, but such excessive profiteering is unacceptable!” she wrote.
The Facebook post quickly went viral, with many agreeing with her point and some sharing similar experiences. Others argued that the store at the airport most likely had to charge higher prices for all items to cover the cost of rent. A few suggested that the public figure should file an official complaint with the airport. The story has since been shared across social media, sparking discussion among netizens.
While KLIA has yet to respond to the comments, Chiong Pei Pei posted on Facebook earlier today (Wednesday, 19th February) to address her viral post. She clarified that her intention was to draw attention to the broken water dispensers at the airport while also expressing her frustration about having to resort to buying the expensive item there. That being said, the presenter is glad to know that her post has opened up discussion, as it could help improve things.
“I appreciate everyone putting forward their views because these exchanges allow me to understand the issues from a much broader perspective. For me, this is just a personal experience, hopefully reminding some of the relevant units to improve existing services and facilities to make travel more comfortable. I have no intention of creating controversy,” she said. The user concluded her post by reiterating that she was not criticising any institution or individual and that she hoped for better facility maintenance and transparency regarding prices to improve passengers’ convenience.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
