U.S. regional airlines, facing what seems to be a near-certain future of consolidation and a moment of truth this decade on contract renewals for aircraft of 50 seats or fewer, could find an escape route in the relaxation of scope clauses in pilot contracts of their major airline partners. But they had better not count on it.rnThe scope clauses limit how much flying the major carriers can outsource to the regional airlines, and they have been relaxed before, which is why re-gionals can fly a significant number of jets with as many as 76 seats for many of their major airline partners. Another relaxation would provide a huge boost to regional carriers, especially with their major airline partners still looking to get rid of more 50-seat aircraft.
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