Overview

• IATA has filed a working paper asking ICAO to raise the international upper age limit for multi‑pilot commercial operations from 65 to 67.
• IATA says fast‑growing travel demand is outpacing the supply of qualified pilots, making a two‑year increase a targeted workforce measure.
• The group frames the change as a cautious safety step, noting ICAO’s 2006 move from 60 to 65 and proposing that flights continue with two pilots, with at least one under 65 when the other is older.
• The proposal asks ICAO to build standardized medical risk‑assessment systems using comparable pilot health data, highlighting that mental health and substance misuse risks skew younger.
• Major U.S. pilot unions oppose raising the limit, arguing there is insufficient data to justify a change.