Sunan Ruili Airlines. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Sunan Ruili Airlines, a local airline owned by the city of Wuxi, officially launched on Sept 8, with agreements on four aviation industrial projects signed as well.

Wuxi became the first city in East China's Jiangsu province to own a local airline as Wuxi Transport Industry Group took over 57 percent of Ruili Airlines from Yunnan Jingcheng Group on Jan 15.

The headquarters and operation base of Ruili Airlines in Wuxi, or Sunan Ruili Airlines, now owns 21 aircrafts and operates 84 airline routes.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Sunan Ruili Airlines will operate 45 aircrafts, according to officials. It is also expected to make its debut on the main board of air transport.

The four aviation industry projects that were signed at the launch ceremony will bring about 10 billion yuan ($1.55 billion) of investment and provide about 2,000 jobs in three years.

Among them, the main operating base and related industrial projects of Sunan Ruili Airlines will be located in Wuxi Economic Development Zone to drive the gathering of high-end talents, technologies, as well as consumption.

The aircraft maintenance engineering technology company and aviation material support center can provide supporting services, such as scheduled inspections, overhauls, and lease rebate inspections, to aircrafts. The flight training center can provide training for pilots and flight attendants, as well as education on related aviation information.