Easter miracle as Spanish airports instructed to sell bottled water for just €1

The new law means that a 500ml bottle of water from a shop or vending machine must cost no more than €1 at Spanish airports.

Spain is a delightfully inexpensive country, most of the time. Of course, there are some areas that attract high society and where prices correlate directly with the purchasing power of their big-spending residents or visitors, which is certainly true of some of the bars and restaurants that ring the harbour in Puerto Banus, but generally you will pay far less for a meal, a beer and public transport in Spain than you would in many other countries in Europe…

Except, of course, at Spain’s airports. Many a weary traveller, parched from their trip to Malaga airport and hankering for a bit of food, has been left aghast at having to pay close to €20 for a small beer and a sandwich.

Prices at Spanish airports are notoriously hiked way beyond recommended retail prices. This is not a problem confined only to Spain, of course, but the inflated prices are even more noticeable after a week or two spent enjoying an affordable holiday.

Now, however, Spain’s airports authority Aena has decided to crack down on some of these practices, beginning with bottled water. From Easter, bottled water must not be sold for more than €1 for a 500ml bottle (or third of a litre in shops and restaurants), which is great news for passengers simply eager to re-hydrate before boarding their flight.

The move comes after a series of complaints to Aena from disgruntled airport-goers, and could trigger a similar crackdown on other overpriced items, particularly snacks and light meals that are often up to three times more expensive at Spanish airports than they are in towns, cities and resorts.