China’s largest airline implements shark fin ban
China’s largest airline, China Southern Airlines, has banned shipments of shark fin, whilst also pledging to support animal conservation. The airline is based in Guangzhou, the largest global trading hub for the gourmet food item. Of international airlines, 51%, based on seat capacity, have now banned the delicacy. Air China has already refused to transport shark fin, meaning that China Eastern is the only one of the country’s three major state-owned airlines not to implement a ban. China COSCO Shipping, the country’s biggest shipping company, has also banned the product, as have 17 of the world’s 19 largest shipping lines.

The ban on shark fin shipments by China Southern Airlines will narrow the options for traders of the delicacy. Photo: Xinhua