APA: Pilot Retirement Age at 67 Tantamount to Flying Blind

‍FORT WORTH — The Allied Pilots Association (APA) has raised concerns regarding the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) request that the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) increase the international age limit for commercial pilots from 65 to 67.

First Officer Nick Silva, APA President, pointed out that IATA’s meeting the demand for pilots as the reason for raising the retirement age was a non-issue in the U.S.. Silva cited Spirit Airlines (NK) and JetBlue (B6), both of which have pilots on furlough, and American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), and United Airlines (UA), have all slowed or halted pilot hiring.

Silva also cited data showing higher long-term disability rates among older pilots. At AA, 71% of pilots on long-term disability are older than age 55, reflecting reduced productivity and higher costs as pilots age. 

Moreover, APA states what is in its view common sense: cognitive performance declines with age, affecting reaction time, situational awareness, and problem-solving, along with an increased risk of sudden incapacitation from heart attacks and strokes.

One of IATA's counter is that when the retirement age was raised from 60 to 65 years 19 years ago, there was no negative impact on aviation safety.

Comments from APA President

“There is insufficient data regarding what risks would be associated with increasing pilot retirement age,” said Silva. 

“Existing regulations governing pilot duty and rest are based on safety studies for a workforce capped at age 65 and reflect lessons learned from past accidents. Without new research, raising the retirement age would mean flying blind.”

“Raising the pilot retirement age now would constitute a solution in search of a problem and run counter to longstanding safety practices by U.S. airline operators and regulators,” he said.

The largest independent pilots' union in the US, the APA, was established in 1963 and has its main office in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents AA’s 16,000 pilots, including several hundred pilots who are serving in the armed forces and on full-time military leave.

IATA represents more than 350 airlines worldwide; its new proposal will be on the table at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal happening September 23–October 3.