Li Ka-shing may bid for Irish firm's planes

[HONG KONG] Billionaire Li Ka-shing is considering bidding for a portfolio of planes being sold by Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd's aircraft-leasing company, said people with knowledge of the matter.

Mr Li, Asia's richest man, may bid for the planes, owned by Awas Aviation Capital Ltd, using a group of companies he controls including Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd, said two of the people, who asked not to be named.

Dublin-based Awas plans to break up its fleet of about 280 planes and sell about 100 newer aircraft for as much as US$5 billion, they said.