Unions Argue that Even a Short Retirement Age Increase Could Compromise Safety

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN’s aviation body, has rejected the airline industry’s push to raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67. The proposal was backed primarily by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which argued that even a two-year rise to the cap could have a dramatic effect on the pilot shortage.

IATA’s argument claimed that the change would ease workforce pressures without harming safety. It pointed to countries like Canada and Australia, where no fixed age limit exists and fitness-to-fly assessments determine pilot eligibility. As a result, the organization said, the age cap raise would merely align global standards under ICAO, simplifying regulations and stabilizing the pilot workforce at a time of growing demand.

Pilot unions strongly opposed the move. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) warned that extending the retirement age could increase health and cognitive risks, potentially undermining safety. ALPA also referenced similar proposals in the United States that were rejected last year, when Congress decided to maintain the current age limit under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The union’s arguments gained traction within the ICAO Assembly, leading to the conclusion that there was insufficient medical evidence to justify raising the limit.

“ALPA applauds ICAO for reiterating that the current medical science and available data does not support an increase in the pilot retirement age,” said international organization President Captain Jason Ambrosi. “ALPA appreciates the ICAO Secretariat’s commitment to improve data generation and analysis procedures with an aim to strengthen and harmonize the global aviation medical risk management system.”

ICAO’s ruling keeps the global pilot retirement age fixed at 65, reaffirming its long-standing position that safety takes priority over workforce flexibility. The organization also committed to improving its medical data collection and risk assessment systems for future policy reviews.

FMI: www.icao.int