MONTREAL– The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed raising the upper age limit for commercial airline pilots to 67 years from the current limit of 65 years. The recommendation applies to those operating multi-pilot commercial flights.
The proposal, submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), comes as airlines worldwide face a shortage of trained pilots compared to the fast-growing demand for air travel.
IATA, which represents more than 350 carriers including Air India (AI), IndiGo (6E), and SpiceJet (SG), says extending the age cap could help sustain workforce stability without compromising safety.
Photo: PTINew Pilot Retirement Age Limit
The proposal was outlined in a working paper titled “Proposal to Raise the Multi-Pilot Commercial Air Transport Pilot Age Limit to 67 Years.” IATA highlighted that aviation growth worldwide is rapidly outpacing the supply of qualified pilots.
Allowing experienced pilots to fly for two more years is presented as a practical step to address the gap.
The association emphasized that when the retirement age was raised from 60 to 65 years in 2006, there was no negative impact on aviation safety. Building on that precedent, IATA describes the new proposal as “a cautious but reasonable step consistent with safety.”
Photo: LufthansaAlignment with Global Aviation
IATA argues that extending the pilot age limit aligns with 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also ties into ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme, which aims to secure a sustainable pipeline of aviation talent.
In Canada (YUL), Australia (SYD), and New Zealand (AKL), no statutory upper age limit exists for commercial pilots, including those flying multi-crew aircraft. IATA notes this as evidence that flexible age policies can work without compromising safety.
The working paper also calls for ICAO to create standardized medical risk assessment systems. These would use consistent health data to evaluate age-related risks while supporting safe implementation of the higher age threshold.
Medical Assessments
According to IATA, existing medical certification processes can reliably identify risks linked to pilot fitness, regardless of age. Evidence from licensed air traffic controllers—who have no age limit but undergo similar medical and competence checks—shows no increase in medical-related safety incidents.
The paper further states that the leading risks for medical-cause aviation accidents are not linked to older age but rather to mental health issues and substance misuse, which are more common in younger demographics.
IndiGo Airlines Flight Crew | Image credits to CAERegional Perspectives and India’s Concerns
India, one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, currently sets the retirement age for commercial pilots at 65 years. While the country has not opposed the IATA proposal, it has raised separate concerns at ICAO regarding the poaching of trained Indian pilots by foreign airlines.
In a working paper titled “Need for Addressing Challenges to Equal Opportunity in International Operations,” India urged ICAO to consider a Code of Conduct on staff movement among member states.
According to India, uncoordinated recruitment by foreign carriers could disrupt civil aviation operations domestically.
Next Steps at ICAO Assembly
The proposal will be discussed at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal (YUL), scheduled from September 23 to October 3.
The outcomes could set new global standards on pilot retirement ages, balancing safety requirements with the industry’s urgent need for skilled professionals.
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The post IATA Proposes New Pilot Retirement Age Limit appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
