{
  "id": 5275411,
  "title": "Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman begins flying for regional carrier FLY91",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/vir-chakra-awardee-abhinandan-varthaman-begins-flying-for-regional",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T07:28:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/abhinandan-varthaman-joins-regional-carrier-fly91-10861421/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Abhinandan Varthaman, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain and recipient of the Vir Chakra, has taken up a new role in commercial aviation. According to PTI, he officially joined Goa-based regional carrier FLY91 as a pilot in August. FLY91 has not commented on the specifics of Varthaman's role, maintaining that personnel details are private.\n\nVarthaman gained international attention in 2019 when he was captured during a dogfight with Pakistani fighter jets. He shot down an enemy aircraft before being detained, held for three days in Pakistani custody. For his exceptional courage and duty during the battle, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry honour, in 2021.\n\nFLY91 commenced its commercial flight operations in March 2024. The regional airline currently operates out of Goa and Hyderabad, managing a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, known for his role in post-Balakot operations, joins Goa-based airline as pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fighter-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-known-for-his-role-in-post-balakot",
        "published": "2026-09-03T02:22:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Shot Down Pak Jet, Retires From IAF And Joins Goa Airline: Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-who-shot-down-pak-jet-retires-from-iaf-and",
        "published": "2026-09-03T02:56:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/abhinandan-varthaman-who-shot-down-pak-jet-after-balakot-strikes",
        "published": "2026-09-03T03:49:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - India",
        "title": "Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman begins flying for regional carrier FLY91",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/vir-chakra-awardee-abhinandan-varthaman-begins-flying-for-regional-5277076",
        "published": "2026-09-03T07:28:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Abhinandan Varthaman’s second innings in the skies: From fighter pilot to commercial pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/abhinandan-varthamans-second-innings-in-the-skies-from-fighter-pilot",
        "published": "2026-09-03T09:57:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}