IATA Proposes Raising Pilot Age Limit to 67

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed raising the current age limit for commercial pilots from 65 to 67. The regulation, which would apply only to multi-crew commercial flights, comes at a time when the shortage of qualified pilots is growing rapidly.

A Practical Solution to Pilot Shortages

Representing more than 350 carriers including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, IATA argues that the proposal would maintain workforce stability without compromising safety. The association noted that the 2006 increase of the age limit from 60 to 65 had no negative impact on safety, stressing that the new proposal is a “safety-aligned, cautious but reasonable” step.

Global Examples and the Health Dimension

Highlighting that there is no statutory upper age limit for commercial pilots in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, IATA underlined that flexible age policies can be implemented without compromising safety.

The proposal calls on ICAO to develop standardised medical systems based on consistent health data to evaluate age-related risks. According to IATA, the current medical certification processes can reliably assess a pilot’s health regardless of age.

India’s Concerns

India currently sets the commercial pilot age limit at 65. While not opposing the IATA proposal, the country has raised concerns that the employment of Indian pilots by foreign airlines could negatively affect domestic operations. It has therefore requested ICAO to develop a Code of Conduct on the matter.

On the Agenda at the ICAO Assembly

The proposal will be discussed at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, taking place from 23 September to 3 October 2025. The decision could set new global standards for pilot retirement ages, balancing the industry’s demand for skilled professionals with safety requirements.