Proposal to Raise US Commercial Pilots Mandatory Retirement Age Under Debate

by Mindy Cohn

Legislation to raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement for commercial pilots from 65 to 67 to address the shortage of pilots causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights on a regular basis was presented earlier this week. 

The seven senators who presented the proposal would retain 5,000 pilots who would otherwise have to retire over the next two years. 

Pilots over 65 would have to pass a rigorous medical screening every six months.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which opposes the proposal, claimed that even if approved, it would only provide a solution for flights within the United States because of international rules.