New Delhi: Captain Devi Sharan, who was commander of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 during its hijacking in December 1999, has retired after an illustrious career spanning four decades in aviation. At the age of 65, he flew his final flight, an Air India Dreamliner, from Melbourne to Delhi on December 4 last year.
On Sunday, Captain Sharan told The Times of India: “Now even as a passenger, I will always be looking at people around me to ensure that everyone is alright and nothing’s wrong. A creeping doubt will linger on.”
In a video shared by TOI scribe Saurabh Sinha on X, Captain Sharan is seen coming out of the cockpit, luggage in hand, following his final flight.
“Captain Devi Sharan after operating his final flight – Melbourne to Delhi – as a pilot yesterday & retiring. The erstwhile IA & then @airindia 👨✈️has turned 65. “Abhi to party shuru hui hai,” he says in mail to colleagues. His bravery during #IC814 crisis will always be remembered,” Sinha wrote.
Captain Devi Sharan after operating his final flight – Melbourne to Delhi – as a pilot yesterday & retiring
The erstwhile IA & then @airindia 👨✈️has turned 65
“Abhi to party shuru hui hai,” he says in mail to colleagues
His bravery during #IC814 crisis will always be remembered pic.twitter.com/nsjUg6l8Cb
— Saurabh Sinha (@27saurabhsinha) January 5, 2025
It was in 1984 that Captain Devi Sharan embarked on his aviation journey at the Karnal Flying Club. He joined the Indian Airlines in 1985.
Captain Devi Sharan became a national hero for his courage during the hijacking of IC 814 on December 24, 1999. The flight, travelling from Kathmandu to Delhi, was hijacked by five armed terrorists soon after entering Indian airspace. The spine-chilling ordeal led to the aircraft being diverted to Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai, and ultimately Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was under the control of Taliban at the time.
With 176 passengers and crew on board, Captain Sharan handled the hijacking situation with incredible calm. While following the hijackers’ demands to ensure the safety of everyone on board, he also managed to secretly relay crucial information to authorities.
Recalling the hijacking incident, Captain Sharan told TOI that IC 814 hijacking taught him that 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 everyone on that aircraft.” He said that he hoped and prayed that no crew member, passenger, or anyone else ever relives those moments.
