US regional carriers face pilot shortage amid new FAA rules

[WASHINGTON] US regional airlines have a hard time finding pilots because of low wages and new rules mandating more experience for entry-level aviators, according to a government study.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO), which analysed data on pilots from 2000 to 2012, said 11 of 12 regional carriers it interviewed for its study had problems meeting their hiring needs.

The report, which was published on Friday, added that while bigger airlines did not report similar difficulties finding pilots, they were still concerned that problems faced by regional partners could affect their ability to provide flights to some areas.