Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, a Vir Chakra awardee, has begun a new chapter in aviation after joining Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot in August 2026. He retired from the IAF in March 2026 after more than 22 years of service. Varthaman became widely known following the February 2019 India-Pakistan aerial engagement, when the MiG-21 Bison he was flying was shot down and he was subsequently captured in Pakistan before returning to India on March 1, 2019. He was later awarded the Vir Chakra for his actions during the engagement. His move to FLY91 marks a transition from military fighter aviation to civilian commercial flying, bringing his extensive aviation experience into India’s growing regional airline sector. FLY91 began commercial operations in March 2024 and operates ATR 72-600 aircraft.