Air Transport

India has again raised the retirement age for commercial airline pilots as the country continues to be affected by a severe shortage of aircrew.

The shift by the civil aviation ministry is to 65 years from 61. In March the mandatory retirement age of pilots was raised to 61 from 60. This time a clause in the new rule notification says that pilots who are aged between 60 and 65 must fly with a co-pilot who is under the age of 60.

India’s airlines have been suffering from a shortage of pilots since early this year, largely because new carriers in the booming low-cost sector have been hiring personnel from established airlines.

All carriers have been affected by the shortage and some have been forced to ground aircraft until new pilots can be trained or hired. The government has also implemented a rule requiring pilots to give six months’ notice before joining another airline.

NICHOLAS IONIDES/SINGAPORE