What is the 'Cute Fee' on IndiGo Tickets? Here’s what it means

By Nancy Tiwari  |  First Published Aug 20, 2024, 2:28 PM IST

A social media user’s discovery of IndiGo’s 'Cute Fee' has led to widespread curiosity and humor online. The airline clarified the charge, but it continues to attract humorous reactions.
 

A recent social media post has ignited a lively debate about airline fees after a user discovered a peculiar charge labeled as "Cute Fee" on their IndiGo Airlines ticket. Shrayansh Singh, who shared the ticket screenshot on X (formerly Twitter), drew attention to the Rs 50 fee and questioned its legitimacy. His post, which went viral, questioned whether passengers were charged for being cute or if it implied that the airline views its planes as cute.

Singh also expressed confusion about other charges on the ticket, including the "User Development Fee" and "Aviation Security Fee." He questioned the rationale behind these fees, suggesting that taxes should cover security and infrastructure costs, and critiqued the perceived excessive nature of these charges.

Dear ,

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)

IndiGo responded to the query by clarifying that the "Cute Fee" actually refers to the Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE) charge. This fee covers the use of essential airport facilities such as metal detectors and escalators. Additionally, the "User Development Fee" contributes to the development and maintenance of airport infrastructure, while the "Aviation Security Fee" is collected on behalf of airport operators to fund security measures.

Despite the clarification, Singh's post has triggered a wave of humorous comments from social media users. One user joked about inflated ticket prices, attributing them to the “cute” factor, while another humorously speculated about future fees for airport seating.

This incident highlights both the complexities of airline pricing and the way social media can turn routine issues into viral phenomena, blending curiosity with humor in the digital age.
 

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