‘They damage conveyor belts’ — Ethiopian Airlines bans ‘Ghana must go’ bags

Ethiopian Airlines has banned travellers from using ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags on any of its flights from Nigeria.

The ban was contained in a letter signed by Henok Gizachew, the airline’s manager of airport services.

The letter was addressed to the regional manager of the Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN).

Ghana-must-go bags are popular sac-like load carriers in Nigeria that come in different sizes and colours and are preferred by many owing to their durability and affordability.

“Please be informed that effective November 25, 2023, the usage of Ghana Must Go to travel on our flight is hereby prohibited,” the letter dated November 24 reads.

“The use of Ghana Must Go as a means of packing baggage has cost the airlines huge loss and also damaging the conveyor belt system, not only on out flight but also on other foreign airlines, hence the prohibition.”

However, the airline offered a reprieve for users of the bag to continue to use them to package their luggage on the condition that they must be well packed in cartons of a hardcover of rectangular size.

In 2017, Dubai introduced a similar rule.

Ali Angizeh, vice-president of terminal operations at Dubai International, had said the Ghana-must-go bags, which would subsequently be regarded as “non-compliant baggage”, could disrupt the advanced baggage systems that would be introduced.

He said the new rule would reduce the risk of baggage mishandling at check-in counters.