ICBC, China’s biggest bank, is considering expanding into the global aircraft financing market and has held talks with foreign airlines at a time when many western banks are scaling back or withdrawing from the sector.

“We have started to get in touch with airlines outside of China and we are hopeful that we will do something soon,” said Cong Lin, chief executive of ICBC Leasing, said on Thursday. “The financial crisis is of concern to everybody, but airlines will still present a lot of good opportunities for us.”