📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Defence
Defence
Balakot Hero Abhinandan Varthaman Sets Up Base in Goa to Fly FLY91 Aircraft
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 04 Sep 2026, 07:48 AM
👁 4
Retired IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has taken up a posting in Goa to operate aircraft for the civilian startup FLY91.
Former Indian Air Force officer Abhinandan Varthaman, celebrated for his role in the 2019 Balakot air strike, has formally retired from active service and chosen Goa as his new operational base. The veteran pilot will now be associated with FLY91, a private aviation venture that aims to provide regional air connectivity.
FLY91, a startup focused on short‑haul commuter flights, has announced that Varthaman will pilot its fleet of light aircraft. His extensive combat and test‑flight experience is expected to enhance the airline’s safety standards and operational credibility as it expands its route network across western India.
Industry observers note that Varthaman’s transition from defence to civil aviation underscores a growing trend of ex‑military aviators joining commercial platforms. The move also highlights Goa’s emerging status as a hub for aviation‑related enterprises, given its strategic location and infrastructure.
While no official statements from the Ministry of Defence have been released, the decision appears to be a personal career choice following his retirement, with Varthaman expressing enthusiasm for contributing to India’s civilian air travel sector.
FLY91, a startup focused on short‑haul commuter flights, has announced that Varthaman will pilot its fleet of light aircraft. His extensive combat and test‑flight experience is expected to enhance the airline’s safety standards and operational credibility as it expands its route network across western India.
Industry observers note that Varthaman’s transition from defence to civil aviation underscores a growing trend of ex‑military aviators joining commercial platforms. The move also highlights Goa’s emerging status as a hub for aviation‑related enterprises, given its strategic location and infrastructure.
While no official statements from the Ministry of Defence have been released, the decision appears to be a personal career choice following his retirement, with Varthaman expressing enthusiasm for contributing to India’s civilian air travel sector.