‘’Toilet usage fee, seat belt convenience charge, life jacket tax, Autopilot fee’’, netizens expressed anger over the post.
‘X’ user Shrayansh Singh posted a screenshot with payment made for IndiGo’s flight. Apart from the regular charges, the user also noticed there is something called as “Cute Fee” in his air fare. Tagging Indigo’s official account on ‘X’ he asked, ‘’What is this ‘Cute Fee’? Do you charge users for being cute? Or do you charge because you believe that your aeroplanes are cute?.’’
User Question Indigo’s ‘Cute Fee’
User questioned the rationale behind the “Cute Fee,” and asked ‘’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? Or has @MoCA_GoI outsourced aviation security to businesses? Kindly respond, because ye tum logo ka zyada ho raha hai ab.’’
Dear @IndiGo6E ,
1. What is this ‘Cute Fee’? Do you charge users for being cute? Or do you charge because you believe that your aeroplanes are cute?
2. What is this ‘User Development Fee’? How do you develop me when I travel in your aeroplane?
3. What is this ‘Aviation… pic.twitter.com/i4jWvXh6UM
— Shrayansh Singh (@_shrayanshsingh) August 19, 2024
IndiGo Respond On ‘Cute Fee’
IndiGo responded to Singh’s query and explained what is the “Cute Fee” which is the Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE) charge. It replied, ‘’Hi, we would like to inform you that the Cute charges refer to the Common User Terminal Equipment charge. It is basically the amount that is charged for the use of metal-detecting machines, escalators, and other equipments that are being used at the airport.’’
User Argues With Indigo Over ‘Cute Fee’ Charge
Unhappy with the Indigo’s response Singh added, ‘’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.’’
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…
— Shrayansh Singh (@_shrayanshsingh) August 19, 2024
Netizens Debate Over ‘Air Fare’
User name ‘Neeraj Sharma’ said, ‘’’Wondering what next usage charges for fuel nozzles at petrol pumps.. Oh sorry I should not be giving ideas to them like this.’’
User named, A.R. Mishra said, ‘’This is Open loot!! Please also charge for DUSTBIN FEE, LIGHT FEE, BENCH FEE, AC FEE’’
This is Open loot!! Please also charge for
DUSTBIN FEE
LIGHT FEE
BENCH FEE
AC FEE
Sitting fee
Standing fee
Mobile charging fee
Webseries streaming fee
Cute fee is not at all Cute to pockets!!
— Adv. M.R.Mishra (@mrmishraadv) August 19, 2024
One user said ‘’Safe takeoff charges, Safe landing charges, turbulence charges, cloud charges, toilet usage fee, seat belt convenience charge, life jacket tax, Autopilot fee’’
Another user said, ‘’What about breathing charges? The passenger is breathing oxygen in the airport and plane? Where is that tax break up?’’