Ethiopian Airlines, based in Nigeria, has prohibited the well-known “Ghana Must Go” bags from their flights within the country, citing concerns about their impact on airport equipment.
The moniker for these bags emerged in Nigeria during the 1980s when a substantial number of undocumented immigrants, mainly Ghanaians, were expelled. Fleeing individuals were often seen carrying these distinct red-and-blue checked bags.
The airline has expressed that these widely used carriers, particularly favored by traders, pose potential risks to airport machinery and equipment.
Ethiopian Airlines stated that the ban was instigated due to “frequent damages to conveyor belts at various airports, resulting in significant costs inc犀利士 urred by the airlines involved.”
However, there’s a provision for an exception: the bags can be permitted if they are “properly packaged in a carton or a hardcover rectangular container.”
Operating numerous domestic and regional routes from Nigeria’s commercial hub in Lagos, Ethiopian Airlines aims to mitigate potential damage to airport facilities through this restriction.
These bags, known by various names such as “Nigeria bags” in Kenya and “Botswana bags” in Zimbabwe, enjoy widespread popularity across Africa and other parts of the world, often spotted in numerous airports.
This move echoes similar actions taken in 2017 by KLM and Air France, who also imposed bans due to concerns that the bags’ structure might unravel and obstruct baggage delivery systems.