Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force fighter pilot who became widely known following the 2019 India-Pakistan aerial confrontation, has left the Indian Air Force and begun a new chapter in commercial aviation. According to officials cited in recent reports, Varthaman left the IAF on March 31, 2026, and later joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.
Varthaman rose to national prominence following the aerial engagement between Indian and Pakistani fighter aircraft on February 27, 2019, a day after India’s Balakot air strikes. At the time, he was flying a MiG-21 Bison as part of an IAF mission to intercept Pakistani fighter aircraft that had entered the area following the Indian strikes.
During the aerial engagement, Varthaman’s MiG-21 was lost and he ejected over Pakistani territory before being taken into custody. The Indian Air Force had stated that he shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the encounter, while his actions during the confrontation later earned him the Vir Chakra, one of India’s wartime gallantry awards.
Varthaman was released by Pakistan and returned to India on March 1, 2019, after spending nearly three days in Pakistani custody. His return received widespread attention across India and made him one of the country’s best-known military aviators.
Following the 2019 incident, Varthaman continued his career in the Indian Air Force and eventually rose to the rank of Group Captain. His transition out of the force now marks the end of a distinguished military aviation career and the beginning of a new role in India’s expanding civilian aviation sector.
According to reports, Varthaman joined FLY91 as a pilot in August 2026. The Goa-based regional airline operates in India’s domestic aviation market. His move means that a fighter pilot associated with one of India’s most closely watched aerial engagements will now be flying commercial aircraft rather than combat jets.
The career shift also reflects a broader pathway followed by experienced military pilots after leaving the armed forces, with their flying experience and operational background providing a strong foundation for careers in commercial aviation.
For Varthaman, the move to FLY91 represents a significant new phase after more than two decades associated with military aviation. His name remains closely linked to the 2019 India-Pakistan aerial confrontation and the bravery for which he received the Vir Chakra.
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