Many pilots working for Dutch airline KLM would like to work past the company’s compulsory retirement age of 56 and some ex-pilots have even brought the case to court.

Many KLM pilots find the rule unnecessary and would like to continue flying. The legal retirement age of pilots is 65, in line with all other professions in the Netherlands.

A group of ex-pilots have gone to court over the issue and demand that KLM rehires them. The case is currently being handled by the High Court, with the Advocate General delivering his advice to the court this coming Friday.

However, KLM and pilot union VNV do not want to change the current situation in order to guarantee the circulation of pilots at the airline company. The union is afraid pilots might otherwise fly too long as co-pilot in the cockpit.

Minister of Social Affairs Henk Kamp has said the situation around the retirement age of KLM pilots is undesirable, although the retirement age of pilots has become more flexible in the last few years. Pilots who decide to work part-time are now allowed to work to a maximum age of 60.

In many other countries the age limit of 56 is no longer in use. After a European court case involving a pilot at German airline Lufthansa, countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and Canada adjusted their rules.

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