Taiwan's defense ministry is moving to keep experienced fighter pilots from leaving for airline jobs, a sign the air force is struggling to hold on to its most capable crews.

• Lieutenant colonels and colonels with at least 14 years of service could stay on until age 58, well past today's limits of about 48 and 52.
• Pilots have been quitting as soon as they legally can, because flying pay stops the moment they retire from the military.
• Airlines are the magnet — commercial pilots can fly until 65, pay is far better, and carriers are hiring hard as travel rebounds and new planes arrive.
• The plan adds extra headcount and keeps retention bonuses and flight pay, with 72 senior pilots earmarked as the first group.
• Pilot training intake is holding up, but losing seasoned pilots hollows out the most combat-ready end of the force.

Outlook: The plan now sits with the Executive Yuan for approval, along with pay-table changes needed to make the longer careers worthwhile.