ppheli - you are a star. The Scotsman is not normally on the newsagent shelf in Hants <BG>. The investment mentioned in the article is a lot more than they paid to swallow Irish Helicopters (about £ 2 million) last year.
I was told specifically that three operators are in the frame for a bid. Perhaps there will be some 'new' news soon - they can't sit on the cash for ever.