Belgian aviation unions and professional organizations are urging authorities to address a growing discrepancy between national pension rules and European aviation regulations. According to the groups, airline pilots are prohibited from operating commercial flights after age 65 under European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules, yet national pension systems often allow access to retirement benefits only at age 66 or later.
This mismatch creates a gap where pilots must cease flying before qualifying for their pensions, leaving them without income during the interim period. The organizations emphasize the need for an urgent solution to align these frameworks and prevent financial hardship for pilots.
EASA regulations stipulate that for multi-pilot commercial air transport operations, the age limit is 65, while single-pilot operations are restricted to 60. The unions highlight that Belgian pension eligibility typically requires reaching 66, exacerbating the issue for affected pilots. No specific timeline for resolution has been proposed, but the call underscores ongoing tensions between EU safety standards and domestic social security provisions.