AIRLINE passengers in the U.S. might notice something missing these days from their vodka tonics or Diet Cokes ... the lime.
A recent shortage and spike in price has caused some airlines — for now — to stop offering the fruit in their beverage service.
“We temporarily pulled limes about two weeks ago, due to skyrocketing lime prices,” says Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Halley Knigge. She says the airline normally goes through about 900 limes a day.
Lime growers in the Mexican state of Michoacan have reduced their supply because of unrest caused by drug cartels and flooding from heavy rains. That, combined with drought in California and an overall growing demand for limes for margaritas, tacos and other dishes, has driven up prices to a three-year high.
