Sunan Shuangfang International Airport (CFP Photo)

Wuxi Communications Industry Group unveiled the rebranded Sunan Ruili Airlines based in both Wuxi and Kunming on Sep. 8.

The group completed the acquisition of Yunnan Ruili Airlines, based in Yunnan Province’s capital of Kunming, earlier this year. Ruili Airlines operates a fleet of 21 aircraft and will increase the number to 45 within five years. This marked the first locally-based airlines for Jiangsu Province.

Liu Yuhai, chairman of Wuxi Communications Industry Group, said Sunan Ruili Airlines will operate 15 aircraft in the main base and also have support bases in Nanjing, Xuzhou, Shenyang and Mangshi to gradually build a complete network of passenger, cargo and maintenance services.

The opening ceremony also saw the signing of agreements for a number of projects, such as a flight training center and a new fund.

In the next three years, the group will invest nearly 10 billion yuan to introduce 12-20 aircraft and build up a full-fledged aviation industry chain that can offer over 2,000 jobs.