Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Shot Down Pak Jet, Retires From IAF And Joins Goa Airline: Report - ndtv.com

**Veteran IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman retires after 22‑year service, joins Goa‑based regional carrier**

New Delhi – Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot who gained national prominence for shooting down a Pakistan Air Force jet during the 2019 aerial skirmish, formally retired from the armed forces this week after a distinguished 22‑year career. The retirement ceremony, held at the Air Force Station in Hindon, was attended by senior military officials and family members, and concluded with the presentation of a ceremonial sword and a commendation for “exceptional bravery and professional excellence.” Varthaman’s combat achievement — intercepting a Pakistani MiG‑21 with a MiG‑21 Bison on 27 February 2019 — earned him the Vayu Sena Medal and cemented his status as one of India’s most celebrated aviators.

During his tenure, Varthaman flew a variety of platforms, including the MiG‑21, MiG‑29, and the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft, accumulating more than 2,000 flight hours and completing advanced training in both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground operations. He also served as an instructor at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, shaping the next generation of IAF pilots. In a statement released by the Ministry of Defence, the IAF praised his “unwavering dedication to duty” and noted that his retirement is part of a routine personnel turnover as senior officers transition to staff and advisory roles.

Within days of his retirement, Varthaman announced his appointment as a commercial pilot with FLY91, a Goa‑headquartered regional airline that operates a fleet of ATR‑72 and ATR‑42 turboprop aircraft on short‑haul routes across the western and southern Indian states. The airline, which launched operations in 2024 to improve connectivity in underserved markets, said Varthaman will join its flight‑deck team as a first‑officer, bringing his extensive high‑performance flying experience to the commercial sector. In an interview with *NDTV*, Varthaman expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge, emphasizing his commitment to safety and “leveraging the discipline of military aviation to serve passengers with the same rigor that defined his service to the nation.”