India
Captain Devi Sharan, renowned for his role during the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, has retired after a distinguished 40-year career in aviation. He completed his final flight on January 4, 2025, piloting a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Melbourne to Delhi.
Captain Sharan began his aviation journey in 1985 with Indian Airlines, which later merged with Air India in 2007. Throughout his career, he operated various aircraft, including the Boeing 737-200, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
On December 24, 1999, Flight IC 814 was hijacked en route from Kathmandu to Delhi by five terrorists. Captain Sharan's leadership during the eight-day ordeal, which involved stops in Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai, and Kandahar, was instrumental in ensuring the safety of the 179 passengers and 11 crew members on board.
Reflecting on the hijacking, Captain Sharan stated, "IC 814 hijacking taught me life is very unpredictable and one has to be always ready to fight back. Those were the toughest days of my life and my only aim was to save lives of everyone on that aircraft."
Air India honored Captain Sharan's retirement with a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging his bravery and dedication. In a message to his colleagues and passengers, he expressed gratitude for a memorable career, saying, "I could not be more thankful for a truly memorable and glorious career. I would like to thank my passengers over the years for giving me the opportunity to fly you safely back home."
Captain Sharan's retirement marks the end of an era for Air India, leaving behind a legacy of courage and commitment to passenger safety.
References:
Air India bids farewell to Captain Devi Sharan, hero of IC 814, after 40 remarkable years
Captain Devi Sharan, who led the ill-fated IC 814 flight, has retired after 40 years with Air India. At 65, Sharan completed his final flight on January 4, operating a Dreamliner from Melbourne to Delhi. He thanked his colleagues and passengers for a memorable career. Air India shared a tribute video showcasing his heroic role during the 1999 hijacking. IC814 from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked on December 24, 1999, and when the aircraft cruising at 26,000 feet, Sharan noticed a person onboard wearing a monkey cap and holding a hand grenade and a revolver in his hands. From then, most of the nearly 180 passengers of the ill-fated plane had a harrowing time for eight days as the aircraft stopped at Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai and Kandahar. And one of the passengers Rupin Katyal was killed. Indian Airlines was merged with Air India in 2007. In a message, Sharan thanked his friends and colleagues at Air India for a very memorable and glorious career. He also thanked passengers over the years for giving him the opportunity to fly them.
ET Online
Who is Devi Sharan, and why did Air India pay tribute on his retirement? - Times of India
Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot who steered hijacked IC814 in 1999, completed his final flight from Melbourne to Delhi. Air India honored his 40-year c
TOI Trending Desk
Captain Devi Sharan, Kandahar Hijack Hero, Retires After 4 Decades
Captain Devi Sharan, the commander of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, which was hijacked in December 1999, has retired after a distinguished four-decade career in aviation.
Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/captain-devi-sharan-pilot-of-hijacked-ic-814-retires-after-40-year-career-101736150104777.html
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