Abhinandan Leaves Military Uniform, Joins Indian Airline as Commercial Pilot

Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot to international prominence after the 2019 aerial confrontation between Pakistan and India in which his fighter jet was downed and he was captured by Pakistan, has reportedly left military service and joined a private Indian airline fly91 as a commercial pilot.

Abhinandan is currently undergoing training to fly ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft on routes between Goa and Hyderabad. After nearly seven years, the pilot who once flew a fighter aircraft on a combat mission will now be responsible for transporting civilian passengers between Indian cities.

Abhinandan was captured by Pakistani authorities after his fighter aircraft was shot down during the February 2019 aerial engagement. Pakistan released him two days later and handed him back to India as a goodwill gesture.

His transition from a fighter pilot to commercial aviation marks a significant change in his career, from flying combat missions to operating passenger flights.