Vir Chakra Awardee Abhinandan Varthaman Joins FLY91 as Pilot

Abhinandan Varthaman, a former Indian Air Force Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee, joined the Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot in August 2026.

Varthaman rose to national prominence in 2019 after downing a Pakistani jet during aerial combat. Following his capture and three-day detention, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry medal, in 2021.

FLY91 began operations in March 2024 and currently manages a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft operating from bases in Goa and Hyderabad. A spokesperson for the airline declined to comment on the appointment, stating that personal information regarding employees is a private matter.