Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot, marking a new chapter in his aviation career.
Varthaman is currently undergoing training with the airline, including on the Goa-Hyderabad route. Once he completes the required training and regulatory clearances, he is expected to fly an ATR aircraft for FLY91.
Varthaman served in the Indian Air Force for 22 years and flew aircraft including the Su-30MKI and MiG-21 Bison. He became a household name following the February 2019 India-Pakistan aerial engagement, after his MiG-21 was shot down and he was captured in Pakistan. He was subsequently released and later awarded the Vir Chakra.
His transition from military to commercial aviation represents a significant change in flying missions. Instead of combat operations, Varthaman will operate within the highly structured environment of civilian aviation, where passenger safety, cockpit coordination and adherence to commercial flying procedures are central.
FLY91 is focused on connecting tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities, making Varthaman’s move part of the country’s expanding regional aviation story. His exact first commercial flight date and future sectors have not been disclosed.
