Over the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic shift in the airline industry’s revenue model. The growing reliance on additional fees has been one of the most noticeable changes. These expenses, ranging from baggage fees to in-flight refreshments and seat selection, now account for many airline business plans. However, the public has suddenly become aware of one IndiGo cost.
Everything began when netizens took notice of the advocate’s X post on IndiGo’s “Cute Fee.” People have been enthralled by the man’s statement and his reaction to the airline’s justification of this cost in their reply.
Advocate raises questions about IndiGo’s ‘Cute Fee’
The conversation was kicked off by lawyer and frequent traveller Shrayansh Singh, who shared a screenshot of his IndiGo ticket on X and questioned the airline’s explanation for the “Cute Fee,” which appeared as a Rs 50 price on his ticket. Singh joked jokingly as to whether the airline compensated passengers for being “cute” or if it simply believed their planes were “cute.” He kept complaining in his mail, raising doubts about the necessity of further charges like the “User Development Fee” and the “Aviation Security Fee.”
In his post, he wrote,
Dear @IndiGo6E, What is this ‘Cute Fee’? Do you charge users for being cute? Or do you charge because you believe that your aeroplanes are cute?
He further inquired,
What is this ‘User Development Fee’? How do you develop me when I travel in your aeroplane? What is this ‘Aviation Security Fee’? Am I not paying taxes to the Government for ensuring my safety when I travel?
In response, IndiGo stated that the “Cute Fee” relates to the costs related to “Common User Terminal Equipment.” The airline made it clear that these charges were meant to cover the cost of airport infrastructure, which includes things like metal detectors, escalators, and other items that make customer travel simple and safe.
Isn’t this a part of airport security? Aren’t the metal detectors a property of the CISF, which is a security organisation of the govt? for the security of airports too?
The equipment being used at the airport, including the airport buildings itself, are public utility…
The reaction from IndiGo exacerbates the advocate’s ire and starts a new discussion:
Still, Singh was not happy with the response. He argued that since airport infrastructure is provided by the government, these costs should already be covered by taxes that the public pays. He shot back in retaliation, saying,
Isn’t this a part of airport security? Aren’t the metal detectors a property of the CISF, which is a security organisation of the govt. for the security of airports too? The equipment being used at the airport, including the airport buildings itself, are public utility infrastructure. They are supposed to be maintained by the tax paid by us.
Debate was sparked by the exchange, and online users joined in:
The topic gained momentum quickly and many X users joined the discussion. Supporters of Singh conjectured that airlines would soon start charging for necessities like oxygen used in airports. Some defended the airline, pointing out that similar taxes are typical across the globe.
Also, ticket ke baad 400 Rs. seat ke bhi do. Badi nainsafi. As if traveling standing in flight is an option. 🥲
Soon enough, they’ll start delaying flights even more, make us sit at the airport for over two hours, and then charge us a “chair fee” for using the seats while we wait!
