Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force officer who became a national symbol of courage after the 2019 Balakot strikes against Pakistan, has retired prematurely from the IAF and begun a new chapter in civil aviation. The decorated fighter pilot has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot.
Varthaman left the Indian Air Force on March 31, 2026, after nearly 22 years of service. He subsequently joined FLY91 in August and is undergoing training to fly the airline’s ATR 72-600 aircraft.
The officer rose to global prominence following the aerial engagement between India and Pakistan on February 27, 2019, a day after the Indian Air Force conducted strikes against a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot. During the ensuing dogfight, Varthaman, then a Wing Commander flying a MiG-21 Bison, engaged Pakistani aircraft and was credited with shooting down a Pakistani F-16 before his own aircraft was hit. He ejected over Pakistan-occupied territory and was subsequently captured.
He remained in Pakistani custody for around three days before being released and returning to India on March 1, 2019. His conduct during captivity and his composure after returning home earned widespread admiration. He was later awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India’s wartime gallantry honours, for his actions during the aerial combat.
His transition from military to commercial aviation is also a familiar career path for experienced fighter pilots. As officers rise through the ranks, flying duties can gradually give way to greater administrative responsibilities, making civil aviation an attractive second career for some.
At FLY91, Varthaman will bring more than two decades of military flying experience to the cockpit of a civilian aircraft. For many Indians, however, he will always be remembered for the unmistakable moustache, calm demeanour and courage that made “Abhinandan” a household name during one of the most tense India-Pakistan confrontations in recent history.
