Global Airlines Group Proposes Raising Pilot Retirement Age

Trade association argues demand for pilots exceeds supply.

Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

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Pilots in an aircraft flight deck. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is advocating for the international age limit for commercial pilots to be raised from 65 to 67.
IATA proposes this change to help alleviate an alleged pilot shortage and meet increasing air travel demand, arguing it is safe due to longer, healthier lives and precedents in some countries without an upper age limit.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), a major union representing U.S. and Canadian pilots, strongly opposes the proposal, citing concerns for aviation safety and previous rejections of similar changes by Congress and the FAA.

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The world’s largest airline trade association is pushing to raise the international age limit for commercial pilots from 65 to 67.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 350 airlines, including all of the U.S. legacy carriers, is asking the U.N.’s aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to consider the change to help alleviate an alleged shortage of pilots.