My family and I spend a lot of time at airports because we travel frequently. One thing I can’t help but notice is that everything costs more at the airport. It’s one reason why I really dislike buying my kids fast food while we’re waiting to get on a plane (health concerns are, of course, another). 

At one major airport, there are actually laws in place meant to limit the price gouging that takes place. Unfortunately, an investigation has revealed that many of the vendors at the airport are probably breaking those laws — and the customers are the ones paying the price. 

Frequent travelers know that everything tends to cost more at an airport.

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Customers overcharged at major airport despite price-gouging laws

A recent investigation into potentially illegal price gouging centered around Denver International Airport, which the airport’s website describes as “one of the world’s busiest airports,” with 82,427,962 passengers traveling through it in 2025.

“A little-known policy… says prices for items behind security can’t be more than 15% higher than prices for those same items anywhere else in Denver,” 9News reported. Despite this policy, two separate 9News investigations conducted 21 years apart reveal non-compliance with the rules. 

Which airport customers are being overcharged?

According to the 9News investigation, a large portion of the items at the airport were priced significantly higher than the 15% maximum allowable markup. In fact, the investigators found close to three-quarters of products had a markup that was too high. Some examples included:

  • A 57% markup on a phone charging cable
  • A 129% markup on Red Vines candy
  • A bottle of water that cost more than double grocery store prices
  • Airport McDonald’s soft drinks and coffee that cost more than double what they would at other McDonald’s

Essentially, the majority of the customers at the airport buying food or other items were potentially overpaying. 

Still, while 93% of the prices that were tracked came in higher than the allowable markup under the law, investigators said they had still been allowed under DIA’s policy because of the way it was written. 

How airport vendors get around pricing rules

The 9News report indicated that many airport vendors are able to charge high prices because they are allowed to choose which outside vendors they use for their price comparisons. 

For example, McDonald’s compared the price of their coffees and sodas to competitors’ prices, not to other McDonald’s stores. And vendors compared their soda prices to those of high-end grocery stores. 

By cherry-picking the metrics they’re using to compare, it’s easier for companies to get away with marking up their items substantially. 

How airport vendors justify the high prices

While 9News highlighted the issue, the anchors also sympathized with the airport vendors, given the fact that the logistics of running an airport business are difficult. 

“The prices are so low [at big-box stores] because of the monster buying power Walmart has,” a spokesperson told 9News, explaining purchasing logistics. “No one here could even think about matching that.”

Stores at the airport also have to deal with issues such as the items going through security, higher airport labor costs, and higher rent. 

Lawmakers may take steps to crack down on airport vendor pricing

The 9News report also highlighted the fact that lawmakers are taking steps to protect so-called “captive” consumers from this kind of price-gouging, not just at the airport, but also in other locations where they are essentially stuck buying from a limited number of vendors.

These legislative changes could potentially help prevent airport stores from making a fortune from travelers who are stranded by delays, and who have no choice but to pay high costs for snacks or other airport essentials as they wait.