The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is attempting to lower prices of goods sold at the facility.

A senior airport official said the airport would increase the number of fast food restaurants and supermarkets to try to lower food prices at the terminal.

Liu Zijing, the new president of the Guangdong Airport Management Group, said Baiyun Airport had lowered the reference prices of foods at the terminal. Restaurants could sell food at the same price as Guangzhou's five-star hotels in the past but now they have to restrict prices to levels no higher than three-star hotels, according to a new airport regulation.

The regulation only applies to restaurants owned by the airport, but is expected to help lower the prices of other restaurants.

The airport lowered the restaurant kitchen rent by 30 percent, the deposits paid by restaurants from five months’ rent to four months’, and the management fee from 85 yuan (US$10.2) per square meter to 60 yuan per square meter.

The price reductions would cost the airport at least 6.22 million yuan each year, said Liu.

The airport also has to pay less for essential resources. Guangzhou urban residents had their water and electricity expenses cut while gas prices went from eight yuan per cubic meter to 6.03 yuan per cubic meter.

Liu also promised to provide cheaper fast food and supermarkets.

Many people complained about high food prices at the airport. A bowl of noodles at the airport cost 48 yuan, the Information Times said.

(Shenzhen Daily April 12, 2005)