The International Air Transport Association has responded to a request for clarification of its position on pilot age limits - by stating that it has no opinion on the issue.
The request was made by Lithuanian cockpit-training centre Baltic Aviation Academy, which believes that variations in wealth, culture and diet in different states should be taken into account when deciding on mandatory retirement ages for pilots.
IATA says it does not have a firm position on the issue, but is monitoring the situation carefully: "Pilot retirement age is a regulatory issue with varying mandatory retirement ages around the globe.
"We also note that in some countries the ages of both the captain and co-pilot are required to be monitored, that is, if the captain is over 60 the co-pilot must be under 60.
"We are watching developments closely, but we do not have an opinion to offer."
Source: Flight International
