Senators Push Biden Administration to Support Raising Pilot Retirement Age

Bipartisan lawmakers urge action at international aviation body to address pilot retirement rules and maintain U.S. leadership.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has called on the Biden administration to support raising the mandatory pilot retirement age internationally.
The senators urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to advocate for this change at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency overseeing global aviation standards.
Current international rules prevent airline pilots over 65 from flying in most countries outside the United States, despite domestic efforts to increase the retirement age to 67.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previously requested more time for research on the potential impacts of raising the retirement age, while the Air Line Pilots Association has opposed the change, citing operational and contractual concerns.
The U.S. mission to ICAO has lacked an ambassador since July 2022, with President Biden's nominee for the position, Charlie Crist, still awaiting Senate confirmation.