📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Defence
Jobs & Career
War Hero Abhinandan Varthaman Joins Goa’s FLY91 as Commercial Pilot
✍️ News18
🗓 03 Sep 2026, 04:18 AM
👁 3
Former IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, known for shooting down a Pakistani F‑16 in 2019, has taken up a commercial pilot role with Goa‑based airline FLY91.
Abhinandan Varthaman, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander, rose to national prominence after he shot down a Pakistani F‑16 fighter jet during the 2019 aerial skirmish between India and Pakistan. The incident earned him widespread recognition and several military honours.
In a career shift, Varthaman has now joined FLY91, a commercial airline headquartered in Goa, as a pilot. The airline, which operates regional flights within India, announced his appointment as part of its effort to bolster its pilot roster with experienced aviators.
The move underscores a growing trend of defence personnel transitioning to civil aviation, bringing operational expertise to the commercial sector. Varthaman’s entry is expected to enhance FLY91’s safety credentials and attract attention from passengers familiar with his wartime service.
In a career shift, Varthaman has now joined FLY91, a commercial airline headquartered in Goa, as a pilot. The airline, which operates regional flights within India, announced his appointment as part of its effort to bolster its pilot roster with experienced aviators.
The move underscores a growing trend of defence personnel transitioning to civil aviation, bringing operational expertise to the commercial sector. Varthaman’s entry is expected to enhance FLY91’s safety credentials and attract attention from passengers familiar with his wartime service.