Two Chinese suitors said to be keen on jet lessor AWAS

Hong Kong

AWAS Aviation Capital Ltd, the lessor being sold by buyout firm Terra Firma Capital Partners, has drawn interest from two Chinese suitors in an auction that could fetch more than US$5 billion, people familiar with the matter said.

ICBC Financial Leasing Co and Aviation Industry Corp of China are exploring a takeover of Dublin-based AWAS, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Terra Firma, which owns 75 per cent of AWAS, is working with Deutsche Bank AG and Goldman Sachs Group Inc on the process, said the people.