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Argentina: Argentina has formally lifted age restrictions for commercial pilots, marking a watershed moment in the country’s aviation history. The National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) has issued Resolution 516/2024, which removes the former obligatory retirement age of 60 for single-pilot flights and 65 for multi-pilot flights.
This shift is in response to the growing need for trained pilots, as well as advances in healthcare that enable longer, healthier working lives.
The regulation adjustment is part of a wider global trend to address pilot shortages and increase the number of available pilots as aviation traffic grows.
Along with the age relaxation, the resolution emphasizes that pilots need to meet rigorous medical and fitness standards to ensure they can manage the physical and mental challenges of flying.
What prompted the change?
The decision to expand age limitations is based on medical advances and the need to address the pilot shortage, which has been aggravated by the epidemic and the swift rebound in air transport demand. As airlines throughout the world struggle to attract and keep experienced pilots, Argentina’s move reflects a growing recognition that experience may be just as important as physical endurance.
With pilots retaining their health for prolonged durations, the industry is now looking to harness this experience, especially considering the greater requirements of ability, knowledge, and experience necessary for commercial flying.
Additionally, regulators in Argentina emphasized that the changes will maintain existing safety standards. The removal of age restrictions aims to find a balance between retaining seasoned pilots and ensuring they continue to meet the rigorous medical standards required for flying.
This new resolution aligns with trends seen in countries like the United States, where some lawmakers have advocated for increasing the retirement age for commercial pilots. As various nations reassess age restrictions and contemplate revisions to aviation regulations, Argentina is aligning itself with countries that are adapting to the evolving demands of the aviation industry.
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