We Urge Ethiopian Airlines to Allow Disabled Passengers to Keep Mobility Aids Onboard
The Issue
My friend Getachew Gebeyaw, a disabled passenger reliant on crutches, consistently faces undue hardship every time he flies with Ethiopian Airlines on domestic flights. Most recently, during a flight from Kombolcha to Addis Ababa, he was once again subjected to the distressing practice of having his crucial mobility aids, his crutches and prosthetic leg, relegated to the cargo hold. This treatment not only strips him of his dignity but also his autonomy, making it impossible for him to move freely or even access the bathroom during flights.
This ongoing and unacceptable situation violates basic human rights and disregards the dignity of passengers with disabilities. Mobility aids are essential tools of independence, not mere luggage. By forcing these aids into the cargo hold, Ethiopian Airlines places unnecessary burdens on disabled individuals, potentially putting their safety at risk and infringing on their rights to equal treatment and accessibility.
Globally, numerous airlines have implemented policies to ensure passengers with disabilities can keep their mobility aids with them at all times. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Access Act, for example, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and insists on the accommodation of assistive devices. Ethiopian Airlines should lead by example in Africa by adopting a similar responsible and inclusive policy that allows disabled passengers to keep their mobility aids close at hand during flights.
We request Ethiopian Airlines to take immediate action and revise their policies regarding mobility aids. Providing onboard accessibility to crutches, prosthetic limbs, and other devices is not just a matter of convenience; it is a necessity. Adopting this change will demonstrate Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to inclusivity and respect for all passengers.
We appeal for your support in urging Ethiopian Airlines to implement this vital change. Sign this petition to stand up for the rights of disabled passengers and help make air travel an inclusive experience for everyone.
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The Issue
My friend Getachew Gebeyaw, a disabled passenger reliant on crutches, consistently faces undue hardship every time he flies with Ethiopian Airlines on domestic flights. Most recently, during a flight from Kombolcha to Addis Ababa, he was once again subjected to the distressing practice of having his crucial mobility aids, his crutches and prosthetic leg, relegated to the cargo hold. This treatment not only strips him of his dignity but also his autonomy, making it impossible for him to move freely or even access the bathroom during flights.
This ongoing and unacceptable situation violates basic human rights and disregards the dignity of passengers with disabilities. Mobility aids are essential tools of independence, not mere luggage. By forcing these aids into the cargo hold, Ethiopian Airlines places unnecessary burdens on disabled individuals, potentially putting their safety at risk and infringing on their rights to equal treatment and accessibility.
Globally, numerous airlines have implemented policies to ensure passengers with disabilities can keep their mobility aids with them at all times. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Access Act, for example, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and insists on the accommodation of assistive devices. Ethiopian Airlines should lead by example in Africa by adopting a similar responsible and inclusive policy that allows disabled passengers to keep their mobility aids close at hand during flights.
We request Ethiopian Airlines to take immediate action and revise their policies regarding mobility aids. Providing onboard accessibility to crutches, prosthetic limbs, and other devices is not just a matter of convenience; it is a necessity. Adopting this change will demonstrate Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to inclusivity and respect for all passengers.
We appeal for your support in urging Ethiopian Airlines to implement this vital change. Sign this petition to stand up for the rights of disabled passengers and help make air travel an inclusive experience for everyone.
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Petition created on October 28, 2026