The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed an increase in the international age limit for commercial pilots from 65 to 67 years. This suggestion, to be considered by the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its General Assembly on September 23, aims to address the growing demand for air travel, which is currently outpacing the supply of qualified aviators.
Currently, international rules prohibit airline pilots over 65 from operating international flights, with many countries, including the United States, applying the same age limit for domestic flights. The IATA, which represents approximately 350 airlines globally, believes that raising the age limit by two years is a “cautious but reasonable step” that aligns with safety standards. To ensure safety, flights would still require at least two pilots, including one under 65 if the other pilot exceeds that age.
This proposal is not without controversy, as major US pilot unions have expressed opposition based on safety concerns. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association and an American Airlines pilot, noted that there is insufficient data to fully understand the risks associated with increasing the retirement age. “We don’t gamble with safety that way,” he emphasized.
The issue of retirement age for pilots has been debated before. In 2006, the ICAO lifted the age limit from 60 to 65. More recently, in 2023, US carriers backed an unsuccessful push to raise the mandatory airline pilot retirement age to 67, which was opposed by US pilot unions. The topic has also drawn attention from lawmakers, with a bipartisan group in Congress supporting international efforts to raise the mandatory pilot retirement age.
The proposal to increase the pilot retirement age comes as the aviation industry faces challenges in meeting the growing demand for air travel. The consideration of this proposal by the ICAO highlights the need for balancing safety with the practical realities of the industry’s workforce needs. As the General Assembly convenes, the outcome of this discussion will be closely watched, given its potential impact on the global aviation sector.
