Overview

• IATA has asked ICAO to lift the global cap to 67, asserting the change is consistent with safety.
• Sen. Ted Cruz urged President Trump to back the proposal ahead of the Montreal assembly to keep experienced pilots in service.
• U.S. law still requires Part 121 pilots to retire at 65, so raising the limit domestically would take an act of Congress.
• Pilot unions including ALPA and APA oppose raising the age, citing studies on health and cognitive decline, and Congress rejected a similar move in 2024 after the FAA sought scientific review.
• A U.S.-only increase before an ICAO change could block over‑65 pilots from international flying, creating scheduling and training complications.