It refers to biggest private domestic airliner Indigo charging extra fees for web check-in. Evidently this is anti-consumer step when families or people travelling in a group will be provided separated seats if they do not pay extra for getting seats together. System of charging extra for preferred seats should be altogether abolished in economy class. However there may be provision of Business-Class and Premium-Economy-Class like exists in Vistara in case Indigo or other private airliners wish to increase their income.
Most private airliners are involved in many other malpractices also, like selling packaged food at multiple times higher than available in market. Even these airliners get Maximum-Retail-Price MRP printed high for being sold in airliners like rupees 100 against rupees 20 for a famous branded packaged juice. Such an anti-consumer practice needs to be abolished by concerned ministries taking cognizance.
Only recently GoAir on 29.10.2018 in flight-number 145 from Delhi to Ranch with seat-number 6A and PNR-number DE164B could not provide pre-booked meal even from amongst the four options available in its menu-card. On lodging the complaint, GoAir simply offered a polished worded apology without even refunding the paid food-cost. There was no response from its Appellate Authority. Even grievances lodged on 01.11.2018 with Union Ministry for Civil Aviation through PG-portal and at websites of President and Prime Minister remain unresolved till date.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL