Following a £35.5 million management buy-in in May 2000, backed by 3i, the venture capital company, British International is looking to expand its current non-oil related UK operations, which were acquired from the Canadian Helicopter Corporation.

A pivotal aspect of its expansion plans is a complete evaluation of current and future requirements in terms of new aircraft.

A company spokesman said: "Attending Farnborough 2000 was an essential part of British International's fleet review programme.

A visit to Sikorsky included a detailed evaluation of the redesigned type S-92 utility aircraft as one of the main options along with the EH101 which is built by GKN Westland/Agusta.

"We currently control eight S61N helicopters, therefore the new 19-seat S-92 is being viewed as a serious contender by the company in the context of its existing and future scheduled service operations."

British International says it is focusing attention on expanding its scheduled services within the UK and increasing its government contracts.

Headquartered in Sherborne, Dorset, the company runs a number of UK Ministry of Defence and government contracts, ad hoc charter flights, police aerial support services form the recently opened heliport at Cardiff and a scheduled passenger service between Penzance and the Scilly Isles.