Air India Express, a popular low-cost airline carrier connecting the UAE and India, has recently made headlines by increasing its fees for unaccompanied minors traveling on their flights. This fee hike, which impacts young passengers traveling without parental supervision, has stirred discussions among travelers and the public.

Fee Hike Details:

Previously, the Minor Service Charges, which are paid in addition to regular ticket prices, stood at Rs5,000 (approximately Dh221). However, Air India Express has doubled these charges, now requiring Rs10,000 (approximately Dh442) for unaccompanied minors. This change in fees, confirmed by a call center agent, took effect two months ago.

Impact on Travelers:

The sudden increase in fees for unaccompanied minors has raised concerns among parents and guardians, as well as young travelers like Izin Hash, a 10-year-old Indian child actor residing in the UAE. Izin expressed his surprise on social media, sharing his experience of traveling alone between India and the UAE occasionally. He noted that the service charge for unaccompanied minors used to be Rs5,000, but it has now surged to Rs10,000. Additionally, he mentioned the discontinuation of fare discounts for children aged 5 to 12. Despite the fee increase, he praised the airline's helpful service and the professionalism of its staff.

Historical Context:

In 2018, Air India Express introduced additional charges for unaccompanied minors traveling to and from Dubai Airports. Now, with the recent fee increase, travelers are grappling with higher costs associated with sending their children on these flights. According to information on the Air India website, children aged between 5 and 18 are considered unaccompanied minors for UAE-bound flights, while for other Gulf countries, the age range is 5 to 16.

Air India's Evolution:

In 2021, the Tata Group made headlines by acquiring the state-owned Air India for a staggering sum of Rs180 billion (approximately Dh8.8 billion). This acquisition marked a significant event, as it took place more than six decades after the government had bought the airline from the Tata Group, which had originally founded it in 1932. Currently, Air India Express is undergoing a series of transformations, including its merger with the Tata-owned airline group Vistara and the introduction of new uniform designs.

As travelers adjust to these changes and the increased fees for unaccompanied minors, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact passenger choices and the airline's overall reputation in the years to come.