A defender took to the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to denounce Indigo Airlines—has drawn public attention not only for the consultation itself, but also for its direct reaction to the airline’s response.
Shrayansh Singh, a user rights advocate, questioned the logic behind several charges, specifically the “Cute Fee.” Singh’s initial post read: “Dear IndiGo, what is this ‘Cute Fee’? Are you charging users for being cute? Or are you charging because you think your aircraft are cute?” His post also raised concerns about the “User Development Fee” and the “Aviation Safety Fee,” expressing his displeasure with these additional costs.
In response, IndiGo clarified: “Hi, we would like to inform you that Cute charges refer to the Common User Terminal Equipment Charge. Basically, it is the amount charged for the use of metal detector machines, escalators and other equipment used at the airport.”
However, Singh was not satisfied with this explanation. He retorted, “Isn’t this part of airport security? Aren’t the metal detectors owned by the CISF, which is a government security organisation for airport security as well?” Singh added, “The equipment used at the airport, including the airport buildings themselves, are public utility infrastructure. They are supposed to be maintained by the taxes we pay.”
The exchange quickly went viral and sparked an avalanche of reactions from social media users. While some supported Singh’s concerns, others defended the airline’s stance.
One X user humorously commented: “I wonder what charges for using fuel nozzles at petrol pumps will be levied next? Sorry, I shouldn’t give them ideas like this.” Another added: “What about the charges for breathing? Does the passenger breathe oxygen at the airport and on the plane? Where is that tax relief?”
However, some users sided with the airline. One commenter suggested: “These kinds of questions arise when someone suddenly buys an airline ticket instead of a bus ticket. CISF does not offer free services like in the US where TSA charges per passenger. In several countries, airport tax is used instead of UDF/PDF and CUTE charges.”
Another user clarified the situation saying: “Airlines They are not to be blamed here. The CUTE/User Development Fee/Passenger Service Fee are all collected by the Airport Authority to maintain the Airports. The airlines act as mere agents and collect on their behalf the price of the tickets that they are authorized to collect.”
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