Ethiopian Airlines has banned woven nylon zip tote bags, known as ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags, following damage to airport baggage equipment.
Although the bags are a popular and cheap option for many travellers, some airlines and airports have reported that they are not compatible with modern baggage processing systems, reports simpleflying.com.
On Friday, November 1, Ethiopian released a statement saying it was implementing the ban as there had been frequent incidents where they damaged conveyor belts at the airport.
Effective November 25, the airline has banned the use of the bags. The statement said airlines had incurred huge losses and that the conveyor belt system had been damaged.
However, passengers may still travel with the bag if it is packed in a carton or hardcover rectangular container.
In 2017, Dubai International Airport implemented a similar ban on bags without flat surfaces. Dubai Airport’s VP of Terminal Operations, Ali Angizeh, explained that irregular-shaped bags did not comply with modern baggage systems and often caused delays due to baggage jams.
Air France-KLM also banned woven bags as the material often unravelled during transit.
