New Delhi: Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who spent around 58 hours in Pakistani custody following the 2019 Balakot airstrike, has retired from the IAF and joined Goa-based private airline Fly91.
According to news agency PTI, Varthaman left the Air Force on March 31, 2026, after nearly two decades of service, and joined the private airline in August. He will now fly commercial passenger aircraft.
Varthaman was flying a MiG-21 fighter during the aerial engagement with Pakistan on February 27, 2019, when his aircraft was hit by a missile after he engaged a Pakistani F-16. He ejected from the aircraft and landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where he was captured by Pakistani forces.
Following intense diplomatic pressure from India, Varthaman was released after nearly 60 hours and returned to India through the Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019. He was awarded the Vir Chakra in 2021 for his role in the operation.
Retirement came 11 years ahead of schedule
Varthaman’s normal retirement from the Air Force would have been in 2037, when he would have been 54. After completing around 20 years of service, he is now moving into commercial aviation.
According to figures cited from the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, a Group Captain has a basic pay ranging from ₹1.40 lakh to ₹2.18 lakh, along with Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500. Taking allowances into account, the amount can be higher.
Based on these figures, his monthly pension could be around ₹88,000–₹98,000, apart from applicable dearness relief. His actual pension, however, will depend on his last drawn salary and service record.
Commercial pilot salary could be higher
According to pilot-training platform Pilot Shala, pilots working for private airlines can earn around ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh per month, while senior captains can earn more than ₹10 lakh a month.
As Varthaman is a former Air Force fighter pilot, his compensation at Fly91 could potentially be higher, depending on his role, experience and airline pay structure.
