Intl passenger goes 'hungry' as IndiGo refuses Indian currency for on-board breakfast

A businessman travelling from Bengaluru to Dubai has complained that IndiGo refused to accept Indian currency on-board while he was hungry and wanted to buy food.

The airline clarified that present rules do not allow them to accept Indian currency for on-board sales although it has approached the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2014   seeking relaxation.

The flier, Pramod Jain, has filed a police complaint in Delhi and another case with the consumer forum.

"IndiGo does not accept INR for on-board sales on its international flights in accordance with the prevailing FEMA regulations. And this is clearly mentioned in our on-board sales menu," the airline said.

"We have filed a request for on-board sales in Indian currency (above Rs 25,000) with RBI on February 26, 2014 and June 05, 2014. We are in active discussions with the authorities concerned," it added.

According to Jain's complaint, the incident took place on October 10. He claimed he ordered breakfast but the crew refused to take Indian currency citing regulation despite "repeated requests". He said another passenger also faced the same problem.

Jain also claimed that he informed the crew that he did not have breakfast and was willing to pay in Indian currency. However, he claimed, they did not serve him food.