In a significant appointment for India's aviation sector, Captain SPS Suri, the veteran pilot renowned for flying the hijacked IC 814 aircraft back from Kandahar in 1999, has taken over as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Star Air. India's largest regional airline is embarking on a major expansion phase, and Captain Suri's vast experience is expected to be a cornerstone of its strategy.
From Kandahar's Runway to Corporate Cockpit
Captain Suri's name is etched in Indian aviation history for his role in one of its most harrowing chapters. On December 26, 1999, he travelled on an Indian Airlines relief flight to Kandahar with negotiators and extra crew following the hijacking of IC 814. After the passengers and original crew were flown back to Delhi on December 31, Captain Suri, along with Captain J R D Rao and two engineers, spent a night at the Kandahar airport under Taliban control.
"The Taliban said rooms in Kandahar airport were taken by the hijackers and ISI," Captain Suri had recounted. The four crew members were allowed to spend a freezing night by a bonfire on a verandah. In a surreal moment, Taliban leader Mullah Omar offered them almonds, saying, "Sardar, badaam kha le. Raat kat jayegi."
The drama peaked on the morning of January 1, 2000. With the plane's battery at a critical 7% and denied take-off clearance by ATC, Captain Suri and his crew started the engines, invoking Wahe Guru. Defying warnings, they took off. Pakistan ATC warned them against overflying, but the crew maintained they couldn't hear. The most welcome sound was the Indian Air Force controller saying, "welcome home, you are cleared straight for Delhi," as they entered Indian airspace.
A Stellar Career Takes a New Flight Path
Now 69, Captain Suri's aviation journey began in 1978. A former director of operations at Air India, he retired in November 2014 and subsequently worked with SpiceJet for nearly a decade. His impressive logbook includes 32,700 flying hours on a diverse range of aircraft like the Avro, Boeing 737 Classic, NG & MAX, and Airbus A300 and A330. While pilots in India can typically fly commercially until 65, his new executive role at Star Air leverages his unparalleled operational expertise beyond the age limit.
Fueling Star Air's Ambitious Ascent
Captain Suri's appointment comes as the Sanjay Godawat group-owned Star Air charts an aggressive growth trajectory. Currently operating a fleet of 11 Embraer aircraft, the airline has set an ambitious target of expanding its fleet to 50 aircraft and helicopters by 2030. As part of this plan, the airline is considering placing a sizable order for new Embraer aircraft next year.
Joining at the onset of this expansion phase, Captain Suri's role as COO will be pivotal in steering the airline's operational scaling, safety protocols, and integration of new aircraft. His deep understanding of crisis management, honed during the Kandahar hijacking, and his extensive experience across airline operations make him a unique asset for Star Air's future.
