Hmmm i wish we had someone who has flown recently because I know for a fact we paid the fee in Aug 2008 and I did think it sounded like a scam because $50 USD in india is alot of money but it was at the check in desk and they charged it on the credit card. I dunno what would happen if you just refused to pay it, or if you simply checked in online before your flight and by passed the airport check in. Any ideas?