Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Abhinandan Varthaman Begins Commercial Aviation Career After IAF Retirement
Abhinandan Varthaman served as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force.
He has now retired from the Air Force.
He will begin working as a commercial pilot for a private airline.
The Civil Aviation Minister welcomed him to this new job.
During a 2019 military operation, he flew to intercept Pakistani aircraft.
The article says he shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the aerial fight.
His aircraft was then hit, so he had to eject over enemy territory.
He was captured but later returned to India on 1 March 2019.
His actions were praised for showing courage and determination.
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has retired from the Indian Air Force and joined the civil aviation sector.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed his move to commercial aviation in a post on X.
Varthaman is credited with shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during the February 2019 Balakot operations.
The Vir Chakra citation says he intercepted Pakistani aircraft, led an offensive response and forced enemy aircraft to turn back.
After ejecting over enemy territory and being captured, Varthaman was repatriated on 1 March 2019.
- Who
- Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, a retired Indian Air Force fighter pilot, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
- What
- Varthaman has moved from the Indian Air Force to a commercial-pilot role in the civil aviation sector.
- When
- His aerial engagement occurred on 27 February 2019; he was repatriated on 1 March 2019. The timing of his commercial-airline joining was not specified.
- Where
- The 2019 engagement occurred near the Line of Control, and Varthaman was later captured in enemy territory. The minister welcomed his transition in a post from New Delhi.
- Why
- He retired from the Indian Air Force and is beginning a new professional chapter with a private airline.
- New role
- Commercial pilot with a private airline
- Previous service
- Indian Air Force
- Military honor
- Vir Chakra
- Reported aircraft shot down
- A Pakistani F-16
- Aerial engagement
- 27 February 2019
- Repatriation
- 1 March 2019
- Minister welcoming the move
- Ram Mohan Naidu