“More ways to connect! Starting 3 September 2025, #KuwaitAirways expands its schedule to 6 flights a week from #ThiruvananthapuramAirport to #Kuwait. Stronger connectivity, smoother journeys. Kuwait Airways,” the post read.
The expansion is expected to provide a boost for regular Gulf-bound travellers, offering greater flexibility and smoother travel options. Meanwhile, as global aviation continues to grapple with challenges around pilot availability, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents around 350 airlines worldwide including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, has urged the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to raise the upper age limit for commercial pilots from 65 years to 67.
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In a working paper titled ‘Proposal to Raise the Multi-Pilot Commercial Air Transport Pilot Age Limit to 67 years’, IATA said the growth of civil aviation had driven demand for pilots beyond available supply. It stressed that increasing the age limit would help sustain the workforce while maintaining safety standards.
The association argued that the proposed adjustment was a “cautious but reasonable step consistent with safety”, noting that the earlier increase in 2006 from 60 to 65 years had not compromised aviation integrity. IATA also pointed out that countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand impose no age limit on commercial pilots.
The paper emphasised the need for standardised global medical risk assessments to support the change, while also noting that issues such as mental health conditions and substance misuse — which tend to occur more in younger demographics — were greater concerns than pilot age.
India, while maintaining a retirement age of 65 for commercial pilots, has separately raised concerns before ICAO about the practice of foreign airlines recruiting trained pilots from Indian carriers without prior consultation. In a working paper submitted last month, India urged ICAO to frame a code of conduct to prevent disruption to domestic aviation operations.
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The proposals will be taken up for discussion at the 42nd ICAO Assembly, scheduled in Montreal from 23 September to 3 October.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
