STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2007 – The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization representing the leading U.S. airlines, today issued the following statement in response to a new law, signed by President Bush, that allows U.S. commercial airline pilots to fly until age 65:
“The airline industry applauds President Bush and Congress for passing this milestone legislation that will keep experienced aviators on the flight deck,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May.
The new law immediately extends the retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots to 65, changing a 1960 Federal Aviation Administration regulation that, until today, mandated that pilots leave the flight deck at age 60. For international flying, including Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean, at least one pilot per aircraft must be under the age of 60, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional information about the industry, visit www.airlines.org.
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