Belgian aviation unions warn of pilot retirement gap

Belgian aviation unions and professional organisations are calling for an urgent solution to a growing mismatch between national pension rules and European aviation regulations.

The organisations highlight that airline pilots are no longer allowed to operate commercial flights after the age of 65 under rules set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), while Belgian law requires them to continue working until 67.

The issue has already led to consequences on the ground, with unions citing a recent case in which a pilot was dismissed on his 65th birthday due to “force majeure”.

“Pilots must not become victims of political contradictions,” the statement reads, warning that the current legal framework effectively leaves some pilots without work for up to two years before reaching retirement age.

Hans Elsen of ACV Puls stressed that EASA has rejected proposals to raise the flying age to 67, meaning licences still expire at 65. “It is not correct that a pilot loses his job at the end of his career and risks unemployment,” he said.

While only a limited number of pilots are currently affected, unions warn the group will grow in the coming years. The matter has been raised with Belgium’s Minister of Pensions, Jan Jambon.

Possible solutions include allowing pilots to retire at 65 or enabling them to transition into alternative roles such as training, which remain permitted beyond that age.