DV - that is one of the most accurate and well considered posts I have seen in a long time.
Your comments about the possibility of a third operator are well founded. For those who weren't around at the time, in 1979 British Caledonian were actively encouraged by the oil companies - in particular BP - to start up in Aberdeen, and they arrived up there in 1980. The scenario now is the same as it was then - just two major helicopter operators.
I'd bet my pension that a third operator will be enticed into the market place to break up the threat of any cosy deals between Bristow and Scotia.