Taiwan has announced a sweeping change to its pilot certification rules, lowering the minimum age for commercial and airline transport pilots in an effort to widen the recruitment pipeline and bring its regulations in line with international standards.
Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) confirmed the new policy on November 4, 2025, saying it will amend the Regulations Governing the Certification and Qualification of Aviation Personnel to both lower entry ages and raise the upper age limit for active pilots. The move aims to address a growing shortage of qualified flight crews and help the island’s aviation sector keep pace with global demand.
Under the new framework, the minimum age to hold a commercial pilot license or fly in multi-crew operations will drop from 20 to 18 years, while the age requirement for an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) will drop from 23 to 21 years. The maximum permitted age for pilots in multi-crew airline service will rise from 60 to 65 — matching International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The CAA said the decision followed consultation with Taiwanese airlines, flight schools, and medical authorities, as well as a review of international best practices. Regulators emphasized that medical requirements will remain strict: pilots over age 60 will continue to undergo physical examinations every four months, and international flight operations will still be limited to one pilot aged 60 or older per flight deck.
Officials noted that the revisions are intended to make the country’s licensing regime more consistent with those of the United States, the European Union, and other ICAO members, where 18 is the standard minimum age for commercial-pilot licensing. By harmonizing its rules, Taiwan hopes to expand opportunities for younger flight training students while maintaining high safety standards.
The timing of the change reflects shifting priorities in Taiwan’s recovering aviation sector. Passenger numbers have rebounded sharply since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, but the supply of qualified pilots has not kept pace. According to local training providers, enrollment in commercial-pilot programs fell by more than 40 percent between 2020 and 2022, and it will take years for the industry to rebuild its ranks. Lowering the entry age gives aspiring aviators a head start, enabling them to complete training and begin flying for regional airlines in their early 20s.
Airlines in Taiwan — including China Airlines, EVA Air, and STARLUX Airlines — have all expanded international and regional service in 2025, adding to demand for flight crews. The new age limits are expected to make recruitment more flexible and attract younger candidates, particularly as carriers ramp up hiring to support new routes across Asia and North America.
Raising the upper age limit also brings benefits for operators facing scheduling pressure. Experienced captains in their early 60s will be able to continue flying for several additional years, easing strain on staffing and allowing airlines to retain institutional knowledge within their fleets. The combination of younger entrants and extended eligibility for veteran pilots is designed to stabilize the workforce and reduce reliance on foreign contract pilots.
The CAA has said that implementation of the new age rules will occur once formal amendments to the licensing regulations are published. Flight schools and training organizations have already begun updating recruitment materials to reflect the changes, which are expected to take effect before the end of the year.
Globally, pilot shortages remain one of the most pressing issues facing the industry. Consulting firm Oliver Wyman has forecast a shortfall of more than 60,000 commercial pilots worldwide by 2032, driven by rapid fleet expansion, retirements, and post-pandemic training gaps. Regulators in several regions have responded by revising licensing standards, expanding ab-initio training capacity, and offering accelerated programs for qualified candidates.
