Abhinandan Varthaman served the IAF for 22 years. He has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.
Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman Quits IAF: Indian Air Force(IAF) fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has taken premature retirement from the Air Force. He is set to begin his new aviation career with a private airline as a commercial pilot.
The former captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman served the IAF for 22 years. He has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot. According to media reports, Varthaman reportedly joined the airline in August after completing his IAF service and obtaining the required No Objection Certificate from the Defence Ministry. Varthaman left the Indian Air Force on March 31 this year.
Varthaman was held captive for three days in Pakistan after his aircraft was shot down in an air duel with a Pakistan Air Force jet in February 2019. So far, Varthaman has not issued any statement on the matter. A FLY91 spokesperson also refused to release any personal information about employees, saying it is a private matter.
FLY91, which started flying in March 2024, currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft. The airline’s two bases are Goa and Hyderabad.
