Photo: Shutterstock Pilot Retirement Age Debate: The United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (distinct from the International Air Transport Association, IATA) is set to discuss raising the international retirement age limit for commercial pilots from 65 to 67 years.
The discussion arises due to the increasing demand for flights, which exceeds the number of available pilots globally. The meeting is scheduled for the General Assembly on September 23.
As of now, the pilot retirement age for professional flying services stands at 65 in most parts of the world, including Israel. At El-Al, some pilots continue working post-retirement from actual flying, taking roles as instructors and office employees until the age of 67.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has previously expressed support for the reform, stating that it is a "reasonable step in line with safety."
In the United States, reports indicate a lack of consensus among airlines on the matter. Some airlines support the change, while others have raised safety concerns about increasing the retirement age. Last month, the issue was also brought up in the U.S. Congress by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who appealed to the Trump administration to back the proposal to raise the pilot retirement age.
The UN discussion is expected towards the end of September. If a decision is made to raise the retirement age, a long path awaits until implementation in the airlines.