At last an answer to a question that has long puzzled bankers: what deals can you bring a billionaire with a penchant for infrastructure but who seemingly already has everything?
Li Ka-shing’s Cheung Kong Holdings revealed this week that it is in talks to buy a $5bn fleet of 100 aircraft being sold by Awas, a European lessor owned by Terra Firma, the private equity group.
Discussions are at an early stage and other bidders are anticipated, but a successful deal would see aircraft leasing join an empire that already spans ports, telecoms, property, waste disposal, oil, water and electricity – plus pharmacies, supermarkets and other interests.