BEIJING Capital International Airport Co pledged to cut the retail prices of 1,700 food items by the end of this year as part of its plan to improve services, the Beijing Morning Post reported today.

Food prices will drop by up to 30 percent, said Zhang Kunlan, president of the airport's trade company.

For example, the Beijing Quanjude roast duck will sell for 72 yuan (US$9.54), compared with the current 92 yuan, and ice cream, water and snacks will sell for the same price charged at the city's scenic spots, Zhang said.

The decoration of more than 60 restaurants in the airport will soon finish, and the food prices in these restaurants will be the same as those charged in downtown areas, said Hao Xiaolin, the president of Capital Airport Restaurant Development Co Ltd.

The airport also promised to set up a 24-hour hotline for inquiries, saying operators will answer the phone by the third ring, the report said.

The airport will send delayed luggage to passengers' homes in Beijing for free within 24 hours, the report said.

Many airliners, including Air China, promised that passengers can get free food if flights are delayed for two hours, and free accommodation if flights are delayed for four hours, the report said.