Akasa Airlines asks sisters aged 17 and 9 to pay Rs 5,000 in cash, denies boarding until payment is made

A Kolkata-to-Ahmedabad flight turned distressing for two sisters, Mahira (9) and Manyata (17), when Akasa Airlines allegedly demanded ₹5,000 in cash at the check-in counter for the younger child’s “unaccompanied minor” fee. The airline staff refused to accept digital payment and said that 17-year-old Manyata could not be considered an adult to accompany her younger sister. The two were traveling to Ahmedabad to reunite with their mother, a TOI report stated.

The airline insisted the payment be made in cash, stating the counter was closed and a QR code could not be generated for UPI. The girls, along with their cousins who were flying on a separate airline, finally managed to pool in funds to pay the amount and were allowed to board. The incident raised questions about the enforcement of unaccompanied minor policies, lack of clarity at the time of booking, and handling by airline staff.

Airline did not accept UPI, said 17-year-old not an adult

Mahira and Manyata were booked on Akasa flight QP 1926 to Ahmedabad. At the Kolkata airport, the ground staff told them that Mahira needed to pay ₹5,000 as an unaccompanied minor. Though their 17-year-old sister was with her, the airline refused to treat her as a legal adult.


According to the girls’ family, cousins aged 21—who were checking in on another airline—offered to pay via UPI. However, airline staff declined, saying cash was the only option as “the counter was closed and no QR code could be generated.”

“They were simply told to pay or miss the flight,” said their mother, Shalini Dugar. “There was no explanation, no breakdown of charges, and no receipt till the time my elder daughter insisted.”

No prior fee notice during booking or earlier travel

The girls were returning from a family vacation in Nepal and had taken a train from Siliguri to Kolkata. They had stayed overnight at their grandmother’s house before heading to the airport. The family stated that during the earlier leg of their trip, from Ahmedabad to Bagdogra on April 26, no such fee had been imposed.

“At the time of booking, we were never told about the unaccompanied minor fee. In fact, kids above 12 years are shown as adults on the booking page,” said Pearl Choradia, the girls’ aunt. “When the kids said they didn’t have cash, they were denied a boarding pass. The cousins, who had completed check-in, offered UPI, but the airline refused.”

The children eventually collected the amount and paid in cash, after which Mahira was issued a boarding pass.

Family alleges lack of documentation and verification

Under Indian airline rules, children aged 5–12 travelling alone may be charged an unaccompanied minor fee. A form must be filled at the time of check-in, naming the adult who will receive the child at the destination. However, in this case, the family alleged that no form was provided and no ID verification was done at the Ahmedabad airport.

“We have no problem in paying the fee if it's legitimate and announced in advance at the time of booking. But we demand an explanation, apology, refund, and disciplinary action against the staff who caused emotional distress and trauma to my daughters,” said Shalini, who lost her husband a year and a half ago.

Airline responds

The family said the children had decided to travel without their mother due to personal circumstances. “It was a decision born out of necessity and resilience. However, the traumatic experience they faced has left them deeply shaken,” said Choradia.

Akasa Airlines issued a statement w.r.t to the incident, saying, "As per Indian aviation regulations, any passenger under the age of 12, travelling without an adult, is classified as an unaccompanied minor. This is a safety requirement designed to ensure their well-being throughout the travel journey. The process involves mandatory assistance, documentation, and an unaccompanied minor fee, which is standard across the industry and clearly outlined on our website, along with all other relevant guidelines for travel by minors."

• At the time of booking, the necessary information was either not entered or selected incorrectly, due to which the unaccompanied minor protocols were not applied.
• It was during the check-in process that the Akasa team, upon verifying the government-issued ID cards, realised that both passengers were minors. Upon discovery, our staff promptly intervened to ensure full compliance with unaccompanied minor safety protocols. The applicable fee was then levied.
• Upon arrival in Ahmedabad, the Akasa team accompanied the minor to the exit and verified the government ID of the authorised person receiving the minor.
• Our staff followed all regulatory and internal protocols at every step of the journey to ensure the safety and well-being of the young passengers.
  

Airline's spokesperson said, “Akasa Air is committed to maintaining the highest standards of passenger safety and comfort, especially when it comes to the travel of minors. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to the young passengers and their families. While ensuring compliance with safety standards, we remain empathetic to our customers’ experiences and are constantly working to enhance communication and service at every step of the journey”.