Passengers flying in IndiGo on domestic routes will have to pay higher fees for some additional services. The airline has changed fees for infants, excess baggage, unaccompanied minors, priority check-in and boarding, and travel certificates in the new arrangement. Parents with young children and passengers who opt for additional services will be forced to spend more on their journey.
One of the big changes is the increase in the fee for infants travelling on IndiGo domestic flights. The airline has put up the infant charge from the current Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. The new fee applies to infants for babies as old as three days and up to two years in duration, and hence a home visit with a baby is now more expensive for families.
IndiGo Infant Fee Increased To Rs 3,000
In IndiGo’s current travel policy, infants are not given a separate seat and are required to travel on the lap of an accompanying adult. Only one child is allowed per adult passenger. An adult passenger is allowed only one child in one seat, but the infant fee must be paid when booking the seat.
Also, passengers travelling with an infant may need proof of the child's age during the journey. The age-related requirement is important because the infant category is subject to specific eligibility rules. It is advisable for families booking domestic trips with babies to check the eligibility rules before booking.
The increase from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 is an additional Rs 1,000 for each eligible infant travelling on a domestic IndiGo flight. The new fee is part of the airline’s overall changes to charges for different passenger services.
Excess Baggage Charges Rise
IndiGo passengers with luggage above their permitted baggage allowance will also have to pay a higher rate. The excess baggage charge has increased from Rs 700 per kg to Rs 800 per kg.
Under the new rate, a passenger with 5 kg of excess baggage would be charged Rs 4,000 to carry the extra luggage, compared with Rs 3,500 under the earlier Rs 700-per-kg rate. As a result, it is important for passengers to check that they have a luggage allowance before they travel and to plan luggage accordingly.
Unaccompanied Minor Service Fee Revised
Children travelling without an accompanying adult are another change. IndiGo has increased its unaccompanied minor service charge from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,999.
The service is for eligible children travelling alone and remains subject to the airline’s applicable rules and requirements. Parents and guardians arranging solo travel for children will need to take the revised fee into account when making their travel plans.
Priority Check-In And Boarding Become Costlier
Passengers who choose IndiGo's priority check-in and boarding services will also pay more after the revision. The charge has increased from Rs 450 to Rs 650.
This is an increase of Rs 200 for the priority service. Priority services tend to be selected by passengers seeking more convenience on their airport journey, particularly when they want to spend less time waiting at designated check-in or boarding points.
Travel Certificate Fee Goes Up
IndiGo has also changed the charge for travel certificates. The fee has increased from Rs 200 to Rs 300.
Travel certificates are required by passengers for documentation or other purposes related to their journey. The new fee is now Rs 100 more for the service, and customers using such a service will now have to pay Rs 100 more than before.
The new changes will impact different passengers and optional services and do not represent an overall increase in the base fare of every IndiGo ticket. Travellers should therefore consider the services they require in order to calculate the total cost of their journey.
Since parents of infants, passengers with excess luggage, and parents arranging travel for children who are unaccompanied, as well as customers who select priority services, will be charged more, the new charges could increase the final price paid in addition to the ticket price. Checking fees and service requirements before booking can help passengers avoid unexpected costs at the airport.
