On June 14, US lawmakers voted in favor of raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members voted 32 to 31 to include the pilot retirement age amendment in the proposed five-year bill that would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years.
Republican lawmaker Troy Nehls pointed out that the same commercial pilots, forced to retire at 65 years old, fly corporate and charter jets beyond the age of 65.
Committee chair Sam Graves, calls the bill “vital to our economy, to millions of jobs, and to the 850 million passengers that depend on our aviation system every year.”
The FAA bill was approved by the House committee 63-0 and is set to be processed by the entire House the following month. Aside from the pilot retirement age, the bill would also tackle the rule requiring pilots 1500 hours to fly a commercial plane. The bill would maintain 1500 hours, but 250 hours will be in a simulator. This bill also aims to increase the number of air traffic controllers and eliminate fees for families who wanted to sit together on the plane.
Pilot Shortage
A few months ago, Regional Airline Association sounded the alarm regarding the possibility of pilot shortage. The Regional Airline Association represents regional carriers that cater their services to larger airlines such as American, Delta, and United.
Based on their numbers, more than 50% of active pilots will reach 65 in the next 15 years. Unfortunately, the number of younger pilots is not enough to make up for those who would’ve faced mandatory retirement.
Its President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black said during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Hearing in April that “The pilot shortage has resulted in a collapse in air service”.
According to Black, 42 states now have fewer airline services than before the pandemic. In addition to this, 136 airports have already dropped at least 25% of their service. And lastly, some airlines have decided to stop their flights to 11 airports located in smaller cities.
There are currently around 500 idle regional airline planes because of pilot shortages. On top of that, those planes that are currently flying are used 40% less than before.