A coalition representing global airlines has called on the United Nations’ aviation agency to raise the mandatory international retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67, citing soaring demand for air travel and a shortage of qualified aviators.
According to Reuters, the proposal will be reviewed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) during its General Assembly scheduled for September 23.
Currently, ICAO rules prohibit airline pilots aged over 65 from flying international routes. Many countries, including the United States, mirror this restriction in their domestic aviation laws.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA)—representing about 350 airlines worldwide—described the suggested two-year increase as a “cautious but reasonable step consistent with safety.” The group stressed that flights would still require at least two pilots in the cockpit, with one of them under 65 if the other exceeds that age.
ICAO last raised the age limit in 2006, when it increased the cap from 60 to 65.
Opposition from U.S. Pilot Unions
Major U.S. pilot unions have pushed back strongly against raising the age limit, warning of potential safety risks.
Dennis Tajer, spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association (APA) and an American Airlines pilot, told Reuters:
“There is not enough data available to adequately understand the risk of increasing the retirement age. We don’t gamble with safety that way.”
Other unions, including the Air Line Pilots Association and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, have yet to publicly respond to the latest proposal.
The resistance echoes a failed 2023 campaign by U.S. airlines to persuade Congress to raise the retirement age domestically to 67.
However, momentum appears to be building again: just last month, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged President Donald Trump’s administration to support international efforts to extend the age threshold.
With air travel demand projected to continue climbing, ICAO’s upcoming decision could have significant implications for the aviation industry—balancing the urgent need for more pilots with the unyielding priority of flight safety.
