Australians are being urged to stop at the supermarket before their flights, with fresh analysis revealing customers face exorbitant markups of more than 140 per cent in airport terminals.

Data published by Compare The Market found retailers at airports are charging much more for a range of common snacks and medicinal products than nearby supermarkets.

Compare The Market travel expert Adrian Taylor said that with airport security allowing travellers to take unopened snacks and drinks through the terminal, shoppers could save big by preparing.

“The moment we step into the airport, most of us go into ‘holiday mode’ and grab a few snacks for the trip as well as any necessary items we may have forgotten to pack in the hurry to make the flight on time, like paracetamol or hand sanitiser,” Taylor said.

“And while there’s nothing wrong with splurging at the terminal, our research found that there’s a significant markup on prices across the board, mostly because people are now a captive audience.”

Supermarkets comparison

The analysis compared supermarket prices with what retailers were charging at Brisbane domestic airport in June.

Australians face markups of 99 per cent when buying a 750ml bottle of water, with supermarkets charging $3 compared to $5.99 at the airport.

Flyers with headaches face a 146 per cent price hike when buying Panadol Rapid, which is $15.99 at the airport compared to $9.44 at the supermarket.

And those looking to keep their breath fresh before climbing in a cramped aeroplane cabin are being asked to fork over $4.40 for Wrigley’s spearmint gum at the airport, compared to $1.99 at the supermarket.

Captive market

Taylor said airports benefit from a captured market that has already passed security and might be rushing to get on their flight before it takes off.

“[It’s] common knowledge that liquids over 100ml cannot be taken through security at the international airport, however, rules at the domestic airport are slightly different,” he said.

“Travellers who have unopened bottles of juice or soft drinks are able to take these through the security checkpoint and only opened water bottles or cups of tea or coffee cannot pass.

“However, retailers might bet that this rule is not that well known and, as a result, they’ll inflate their prices, knowing that people will pay for it.

“Baggage limits aside, you could save some serious cash by packing your own pain relief, hand sanitiser and things like lollies, chips and other snacks.”

Another factor that allows retailers to keep higher prices in airports are baggage limits, particularly on discount airlines that carefully watch the weight of carry-on luggage in cabins.

That makes it more likely people will opt to travel light and then purchase goods at the airport when they land.

Anyone who opted against buying food on their flight will still have to pay almost $10 for a can of Pringles (compared to $4.49 at the supermarket), and $8 for a packet of Allen’s Snakes (up 69 per cent on the $3.40 supermarkets charge).