China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing is in talks for 10-15 business jets, following a plan to accumulate orders for 100 by 2014.

The company, set up to exploit what its owners rightly expected to be rapid growth in Chinese business aviation, has ordered 17 aircraft since signing its first purchase contract in April 2008, says the firm’s aviation and legal consultant, David Tang.

The lessor is an affiliate of China’s Minsheng Bank. It specializes in financial leases for Chinese customers and generally orders an aircraft only when it has secured a client. But Tang says that if it can secure attractive terms the company considers buying extra aircraft in expectation of finding customers.

He did not disclose which manufacturers the company was currently talking to about the next order.

Minsheng’s customers so far are showing a strong preference for large, long-range types such as the Gulfstream G550. The lessor expects increased interest in Chinese domestic flying to generate a rise in bookings for medium-range aircraft in 2011.

Photo credit: Benet J. Wilson