Senate panel approves increased FAA staffing, rejected the retirement age update.
The Federal Aviation Administration sent a letter to Congress this week advising further review with regard to raising the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots from 65 to 67. Both the House and the Senate are considering potential legislation to increase the pilot retirement age to help address America’s pilot shortage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated that more research is necessary. The secretary sent his own letter to Congress last month saying that the FAA “currently has no data to support such increase to the retirement age.” He added that a retirement age of 67 would be “above the international standard and will have consequences for U.S. air carriers.”
On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved increased staffing of FAA safety inspectors and air traffic controllers but declined to raise the pilot retirement age.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Administrator Whitaker as he continues to address issues facing the FAA.
- For members of Congress to be discerning about raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots.
- For senators and representatives as they work to reconcile FAA legislation between the two chambers.
Sources: Reuters, AP
