FAA Urges Congress: Hold Off on Raising Pilot Retirement Age

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is urging the United States Congress not to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 65 to 67 until comprehensive safety studies can be conducted.

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker stressed the vital role that pilot fitness plays in guaranteeing aviation safety in a letter to two powerful senators. Whitaker emphasised that the FAA must create sufficient safeguards before examining raising the age restriction. In order to address any risks found, he emphasised the need for in-depth research and the application of suitable mitigations.

With 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines employing over 77,000 pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) is actively encouraging its members to contact their local senators and voice their opposition to the proposed change. A modification of this kind, according to ALPA, might interfere with pilot bidding procedures, lower pilot utilisation, postpone training, and possibly jeopardise flight operations.

ALPA further cautions against the potential need to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements in order to address the effects of the proposed increase in retirement age, as well as legal liabilities.

On the other hand, the suggested modification is backed by the Regional Airline Association, a trade association that represents smaller airlines. Due to a crew shortage, these smaller carriers have had to raise pilot salaries in an effort to draw in qualified candidates. But according to ALPA, increasing the retirement age might make the industry’s current problems worse and put flight operations and general safety at danger.