2019 war hero Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 before being captured, begins a new chapter as a commercial pilot
New Delhi: Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force fighter pilot who became a household name after the dramatic India-Pakistan aerial engagement in 2019, has retired from the Indian Air Force and joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot, according to reports.
Varthaman, who was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role in the 2019 aerial combat, has moved from flying fighter jets to commercial aircraft after more than two decades of service in the Indian Air Force.
From Fighter Pilot To Commercial Pilot
Varthaman was relieved from the IAF in March 2026 after serving for nearly 22 years. He subsequently joined FLY91, a regional airline based in Goa, as a pilot.
The move marks a major transition for one of India’s most recognisable military aviators. During his IAF career, Varthaman flew combat aircraft including the MiG-21 and Su-30 MKI. He is now set to fly ATR aircraft for the private airline.
FLY91 operates regional services and has bases in Goa and Hyderabad. Varthaman’s move to commercial aviation is also an example of how experienced military pilots can transition into civilian flying after completing their service.
Why Abhinandan Varthaman Became A National Hero
Varthaman shot to international prominence on February 27, 2019, a day after the Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot, Pakistan.
Pakistan responded with an aerial operation, leading to a dogfight between Indian and Pakistani fighter aircraft.
During the confrontation, Varthaman, then a Wing Commander, flew a MiG-21 Bison and engaged Pakistani aircraft. According to Indian accounts, he shot down a Pakistani F-16 before his own aircraft was hit and he was forced to eject.
He landed in Pakistan-occupied territory and was subsequently captured by Pakistani forces.
Three Days In Pakistani Captivity
Varthaman remained in Pakistani custody for three days. His capture became one of the most closely watched developments during the tense military standoff between India and Pakistan.
He was released by Pakistan on March 1, 2019, and returned to India.
His conduct during and after the aerial engagement earned him widespread recognition. Later that year, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for displaying an exceptional sense of duty during the operation.
A New Chapter In The Skies
Seven years after the aerial battle that made him a household name, Abhinandan Varthaman is now beginning a very different aviation journey.
From the cockpit of a fighter aircraft defending Indian airspace to the cockpit of a commercial aircraft carrying civilian passengers, his career has taken a remarkable turn.
For many Indians, however, the image of the decorated fighter pilot who faced one of the most tense military confrontations between India and Pakistan in decades is likely to remain an enduring part of his legacy.
