Capt. Jason Ambrosi: Raising the retirement age for pilots puts America’s aviation system at risk

Flying has never been safer in the United States. Our country’s current approach to aviation safety is clearly working — the U.S. is the gold standard for aviation safety around the world.

Despite this achievement, lawmakers working on the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill are considering introducing new risk and rolling back safety regulations just as passengers are returning to the skies.

Right now, some in Congress are seeking to unilaterally raise the airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67 without scientific study or safety research. What we do know is that this ill-conceived proposal could introduce more risk into our aviation system, disrupt airline operations, cause more flight delays and cancellations, and increase ticket prices for passengers.

Read more in ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi’s op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.