Air India Express, a low-cost airline carrier in India, has increased its charges for the service provided to unaccompanied minors.
The Minor Service Charges, paid in addition to ticket prices, have been raised from Rs5000 (approximately Dh221) to Rs10,000 (approximately Dh442), sparking concern among travelers.
Social Media Awareness:
The sudden charge hike came to public attention when a UAE resident posted about it on social media.
Indian child actor and model Izin Hash, who occasionally travels between India and the UAE unaccompanied, expressed his surprise at the sudden increase in charges on his Instagram account.
He mentioned that the service charge for unaccompanied minors was previously Rs5000 and had now doubled. Additionally, he noted that the fare discount for children ages 5 to 12 had been discontinued.
Importance of the Service:
Izin Hash highlighted the importance of the service for young travelers like him and praised the airline’s staff.
The service is especially helpful for minors who need assistance and support during their travels.
The increase in charges was noticed when he returned from an extended summer break last month.
Confirmation from Air India Express:
An Air India Express, call center agent, confirmed that the charge for an unaccompanied minor is now Dh450 one way and that the charges were revised two months ago.
Age Criteria for Unaccompanied Minors:
According to the Air India website, children aged between 5-18 are considered unaccompanied minors for travel to and from the UAE. For other Gulf countries, the age range is between 5 and 16.
Background on Air India:
In 2021, the Tata Group acquired the state-owned Air India for approximately Rs180 billion (about Dh8.8 billion), more than six decades after initially selling it to the government.
The airline, founded by the Tata Group in 1932, is undergoing various changes, including a merger with the Tata-owned airline group Vistara and introducing new uniforms.
The increase in charges for unaccompanied minors on Air India Express has drawn attention due to its potential impact on young travelers and their families.
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