NEW DELHI: A senior Air India commander, who operated a San Francisco-Delhi flight that landed at 11am on Tuesday, passed away a few hours later at his residence in Delhi following a heart attack.
"Capt Vivek Nair had reached home after the flight and was fast asleep. His mother went to wake him up only to find him unresponsive," said an Air India senior official about the 52- year-old deceased commander.
Capt Nair was the president of the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), a pilots organisation.
"Captain Nair has constantly worked for the welfare of all pilots. As a trainer, flight safety executive and president - FIP, his contributions were unparalleled," said capt Vinay Bambole, secretary FIP in a message sent to FIP members about capt Nair's untimely demise.
"A beloved dear friend and a fine gentleman, ace aviator, excellent and knowledgeable instructor, a visionary and pillar of strength he’s been a mentor to many, capt Vivek Nair will be immensely missed," the message said.
Capt Nair is survived by his wife and two daughters.