Several pilot unions in the United States (US) have opposed a new bill that proposes raising the mandatory pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. 

The unions are voicing concerns about the potential impact of this change on the aviation industry.

Troy Nehls, a Republican representative from Texas, presented an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill, which was recently voted on by the US House of Representatives Transport & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee. 

Pilot Union Opposes Retirement Age Proposal

On June 14, 2023, the T&I Committee approved the bill, while Nehls presented the amendment on June 12, 2023.

In Nehls' proposed amendment, he suggested modifying Section 44729 of Title 49 of the US Code. The amendment aims to replace the current retirement age of 65 with the age of 67, thereby raising the mandated retirement age for pilots in the US.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), a union representing pilots at major airlines such as Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines, etc has launched a petition opposing the bill. The petition urges its members to take action against the proposed changes.

According to the petition, the airlines' executives promote a false narrative about pilot availability, suggesting that raising the mandatory retirement age would solve the supposed "problem." 

The petition argues that such changes would lead to the displacement of younger pilots and introduce risks into the aviation system. 

Additionally, it would increase air carrier training costs and further complicate the existing pilot training backlog.

ALPA reaffirmed its strong opposition to the proposed amendment, emphasizing that its stance aligns with the union's unequivocal policy adopted by its Board of Directors in 2022.

APA Opposition

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing 15,000 American Airlines pilots, also opposes the amendment. Captain Ed Sicher, the President of APA, highlighted safety considerations that led to establishing the current international standard of mandatory retirement age of 65 for pilots.

He argued that raising the retirement age would introduce additional risks into commercial aviation, citing health concerns such as cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes which become more prevalent as pilots age. 

Sicher mentioned that approximately 30% of pilots nearing retirement at American Airlines are either on long-term sick leave or disability, based on the airline's data.

APA urged lawmakers to reconsider the amendment, stating that raising the retirement age would be ill-advised for various reasons. They emphasize the need to remove the amendment before approving the legislation.

Victims' Opposition

The families of Colgan Air Flight 3407 victims have also criticized the FAA Reauthorization Bill. They argue that changing the training requirements for First Officers in the US would weaken the system established following the tragic crash in 2009.

In 2010, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act mandated that First Officers have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours before being employed by a commercial airline.

As discussions on the bill continue, pilot unions and the victims' families are actively voicing their concerns about the potential consequences of raising the retirement age for pilots. 

The debate over the amendment and its impact on the aviation industry remains ongoing.