Society · India
Abhinandan Varthaman Joins Private Airline After IAF Service
Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, awarded the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 jet in 2019, has joined the regional airline FLY91 as a pilot. Varthaman, who was held captive in Pakistan for three days following the 2019 aerial engagement, reportedly retired from the IAF after 22 years of service. FLY91, which began operations in March 2024, operates a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft from bases in Goa and Hyderabad. The report claimed Varthaman joined the private airline in August.
How outlets across the spectrum covered it
L 1 C 13 R 4
- Left (1): The Hindu
- Centre (13 votes, 17 outlets): Amar Ujala, DNA (Daily News & Analysis), Haribhoomi, Hindustan (Hindi) · Hindustan Times · Mint (HT Media — 1 vote), Jansatta · The Indian Express (Indian Express Group — 1 vote), Mathrubhumi English, NDTV, Navbharat Times · The Times of India (Times Group — 1 vote), Outlook India, Patrika, The Free Press Journal, The New Indian Express, The Statesman
- Right (4): Aaj Tak, Firstpost, Punjab Kesari, Republic World