WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Mission to the International Civil Aviation Organization (USICAO) Chargé d’Affaires Anthony Clare urging them to support raising the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age standard. Doing so would result in a reduction of accidents by retaining the greatest level of experience on the flight deck.

As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to dominate international organizations around the world, the United States must not allow our adversary to lead international aviation standards, build goodwill with our allies, or gain a competitive advantage over the U.S.

Senators Call for USICAO to Support Effort to Raise Mandatory Commercial Pilot Retirement Age

“We are writing to urge the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Mission to the International Civil Aviation Organization (USICAO) to actively participate in and support the effort along with other ICAO member states—to raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age standard. The American public deserves the most qualified and experienced pilots when traveling.”

International Data Shows Experienced Pilots Have Fewer Accidents Than Junior Pilots

“During the 14th Air Navigation Conference held this year… the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) advanced formal action directed at raising or even eliminating the institution’s recommended pilot retirement age of 65 years… Such a move would be consistent with data from around the world, which confirm that experienced pilots have fewer accidents than junior pilots. Therefore, it would stand to reason that raising or eliminating the pilot retirement age—coupled with the existing rigorous technical and medical testing that pilots undergo—would result in a reduction of accidents by closing the experience gap and retaining the greatest level of experience our passengers expect on the flight deck. In fact, many countries around the world already allow pilots above the age of 65 to fly and have been doing so without compromising safety.”

USICAO Must Not Sit on the Sidelines of This Debate or Cede Leadership Role to China

“The United States is one of ICAO’s largest member states and one of 36 states that make up the ICAO Council. The USICAO is tasked with improving the safety, security, and sustainability of civil aviation in the U.S., and, as such, has an obligation to advocate for changes to international standards to benefit American consumers and our dominance in the skies. Therefore, the USICAO should not spend this debate sitting on the sidelines. If the United States cedes our leadership role in this space on the international stage, we know that China—who is presently and actively joining our partners to advocate for raising the pilot retirement age—will gladly fill that void. We urge you to actively participate in this important process and support raising ICAO’s standard for the pilot retirement age.”

Click here for the full text of the letter.