Mozambique Airlines Passengers Claim Luggage Swapped for Cargo in Alleged Extortion Scheme
Passengers on domestic flights operated by Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) are raising serious allegations of extortion, claiming that their luggage is being deliberately offloaded in favor of commercial cargo. Many report being forced to pay between 500 and 1,000 meticais to ensure their bags are placed on the same flight rather than being delayed for later transportation.
According to complaints gathered by TORRE.News, passengers are frequently informed at check-in that their baggage cannot be accommodated on the flight due to capacity constraints. However, eyewitness accounts from the tarmac suggest that commercial cargo is being loaded without restriction, fueling suspicions that LAM is prioritizing revenue-generating freight over customer luggage.
On March 2, passengers on flight TM 156 from Maputo to Nampula were informed that their luggage would only arrive the following day, despite checking in early. However, those who paid additional fees were able to ensure their bags made it onto the plane. A similar situation was reported on flight TM 131 from Tete to Maputo, where travelers had to pressure airline staff to prevent their baggage from being offloaded.
The issue is exacerbated by LAM's reliance on smaller aircraft while continuing to favor cargo shipments. Many passengers only discover that their luggage has been left behind upon arrival, with no prior notification from the airline.
LAM’s baggage woes have worsened following the failure of its LAM Cargo project. In 2023, the airline announced with great fanfare the arrival of a dedicated cargo plane to boost operations. However, the aircraft never entered service and was ultimately returned to Indonesia due to certification issues. Despite lacking a proper freighter, LAM appears to be monetizing cargo transport at the expense of passenger convenience.
These complaints come amid the airline’s deepening financial crisis. By 2022, LAM had recorded an operational deficit of 4.6 billion meticais and a negative equity position of 17.1 billion meticais. Facing mounting financial pressures, the airline appears to be seeking alternative revenue streams, including what many customers describe as forced baggage fees that undermine basic passenger rights.
As Mozambique’s flagship carrier struggles with high ticket prices, frequent delays, and now unreliable baggage handling, travelers face growing uncertainty about whether their luggage will arrive with them—unless they are willing to pay extra for a service that should already be included in their fare.
