ICAO Rejects Proposal to Raise Pilot Retirement Age to 67

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has rejected a proposal to increase the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67 during its 42nd Assembly, held between September 23 and October 3, 2025.

The proposal, submitted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), had gained support from airlines worldwide. IATA argued that raising the age limit would help ease the global pilot shortage and allow experienced personnel to remain in the cockpit for a longer period.

However, ICAO member states opposed the move, citing safety concerns and health-related risks. As a result, the current regulation remains unchanged, and pilots over the age of 65 will continue to be barred from operating international flights.