Reuters reports that legislation first proposed by Sen. Lindsey Graham and other Republicans last year now includes Democrats Joe Manchin and Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut.
The proposal, which requires pilots over the age of 65 to pass a rigorous medical exam every six months, follows complaints of a pilot shortage by several regional airlines.
It comes as Congress considers several aviation reforms before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expires on Sept. 30.
Graham said about 5,000 pilots will have to retire over the next two years.
He noted that hundreds of flights have been canceled due to a lack of available pilots and crews.
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) applauded the proposal, saying that 324 airports have lost, on average, a third of their air services, including 14 small airports that have lost all services, and more than 400 aircraft grounded due to a lack of pilots. .
RAA President Faye Malarkey Black said in an email that raising the retirement age was “the only solution that will immediately alleviate the pilot shortage, particularly the captain shortage, which is the most acute limitation within”.
It would also reduce “false age discrimination against healthy pilots,” she added.
The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) opposes proposals to increase the retirement age.
Even if the proposal is approved, the union said pilots over the age of 65 would not be able to fly in most countries outside the United States due to international rules.
Graham previously noted that in 2007 the United States raised the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, and “the sky hasn’t fallen.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said earlier that he does not support raising the retirement age for pilots.
Some have urged a reduction in the number of hours of experience required to be a co-pilot.
The FAA rejected a request last year from regional airline Republic Airways to only allow it 750 flying hours instead of 1,500.
NAA