Abhinandan Varthaman Joins Regional Airline FLY91 As Commercial Pilot and Trains on ATR Aircraft
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot. He is currently undergoing transition training on the Goa-Hyderabad route to fly ATR aircraft. FLY91 confirmed Varthaman's association with the company but maintained a measured stance regarding his specific training schedules.
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, the decorated Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot widely recognised for his role in the 2019 India-Pakistan aerial engagement, has transitioned to civilian aviation by joining regional carrier FLY91 as a commercial pilot.
Training and Operational Transition
Varthaman is currently undergoing transition training on the Goa-Hyderabad route. Once he completes the necessary regulatory clearances and type-rating requirements, he is scheduled to fly ATR turboprop aircraft for the airline. IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Returns From Pakistan Via Attari Wagah Border; India Celebrates; See Pic & Video.
Abhinandan Varthaman Joins FLY91
Indian Air Force fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has joined @fly91_IN as commercial Pilot. currently he is taking training in (GOA-HYD). He will fly ATR aircraft. pic.twitter.com/yX3hLJxTHs
— Ashoke Raj (@Ashoke_Raj) September 2, 2026
FLY91 confirmed Varthaman's association with the company but maintained a measured stance regarding his specific training schedules and future flying rosters, reflecting the low profile he has kept since his military service, reports The Pioneer.
Background and Military Service
Varthaman entered public consciousness during the aerial confrontation on February 27, 2019, when he flew a MiG-21 Bison fighter jet. After his aircraft was shot down across the Line of Control, he was captured by Pakistani forces and subsequently repatriated to India on March 1, 2019. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Wants to Start Flying as Soon as Possible.
For his bravery and composure during the engagement, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry medal. His shift to commercial aviation marks a new chapter in the skies, moving from high-performance military interceptors to regional turboprop operations connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2026 09:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
