Great Wall Airlines, a joint venture airline established by China Great Wall Industry Corporation, Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd and Dahlia Investments Pte Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd), was officially launched at a ceremony at the Shanghai International Convention Centre June 22nd.

Present at the occasion were Mr Yang Yuan Yuan, Minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), Mr Hu Yan Zhao, Deputy Mayor, Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Zhang Qingwei, General Manager, China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation, Mr Wang Haibo, President, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, and Chairman, Great Wall Airlines Company Limited, Ms Cheo Hock Kuan, Senior Managing Director Organization & Leadership, and Chief Representative China, Temasek Holdings and Mr Chew Choon Seng, Chief Executive Officer Singapore Airlines, amongst other dignitaries.

Seizing the significance of the occasion, Mr Chew remarked, "For the Singapore Airlines Group, Great Wall Airlines is a significant commitment to directly participate in the further development of China's air cargo market. Today, China is already one of the most exciting air cargo markets in the world. But despite its already significant size, the market continues to grow at rates envied by the rest of the world."

The inaugural ceremony follows what has been an impressive start for the airline. With a six-time weekly freighter service between Shanghai and Amsterdam, launched on 1 June 2006, Great Wall Airlines will also soon commence services to Singapore and to the Indian cities of Chennai and Mumbai. Approvals for these services have already been obtained from Chinese civil aviation authorities.

Based at Shanghai's Pudong Airport, Great Wall Airlines has commenced operation with a fleet of 2 Boeing 747-400 freighters. Great Wall Airlines is 51 per cent owned by China Great Wall Industry Corporation, while Singapore Airlines Cargo owns 25 per cent. The remaining 24 per cent is owned by Dahlia Investments. The Airline has a registered capital of RMB 1 billion.