International Organization rejects increasing mandatory commercial pilot retirement age

The International Civil Aviation Organization rejected a proposal Friday that would have allowed older commercial pilots to keep flying.

Airline trade group, the International Air Transport Association called for the mandatory pilot retirement age to be raised to 67 from 65 at ICAO’s meeting in Montreal last month.

“The proposed increase to age 67 years is a cautious but reasonable step consistent with safety,” the association said in the proposal, noting when the age was increased from 60 to 65 in 2006 there was no increase in problems. IATA also cited Australia, New Zealand and Canada, which do not have maximum age limits for pilots.

Right now, both the United States and ICAO, which is part of the United Nations and regulates international flights, require pilots to retire when they reach 65.

Aviation unions have long opposed raising the age, citing safety concerns.