Watch: Abhinandan's parents greeted with applause by passengers

On Friday, hours after Pakistan announced the release of captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, his parents took a late flight from Chennai to Delhi.

On the flight, Varthaman's parents received a standing ovation from co-passengers.

As Air Marshal S Varthaman and Shobha Varthaman made their way through the plane to their seats, the passengers cheered, clapped and took photos of them because their son 'Abhi' has won the love and respect of the nation with his courage and grace in enemy captivity.

The plane in which the Varthamans' were travelling landed at the Delhi airport about an hour after midnight. 

Check out the video here:

Wing Commander #AbhinandanVartaman 's parents reached Delhi last night from Chennai. This was the scene inside the flight when the passengers realized his parents were onboard. They clapped for them, thanked them & made way for them to disembark first. #Respect #AbhinandanMyHero pic.twitter.com/P8USGzbgcp

— Paul Oommen (@Paul_Oommen) March 1, 2019

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan army after his fighter jet crashed in an air duel with a Pakistani F-16. 

He shot down the plane before his own went down, forcing him to eject. He fell into Pakistani territory.

On Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the release of Abhinandan Varthaman. 

Meanwhile, Retd Air Marshal S Varthaman, a highly-decorated officer and Shobha Varthaman, a doctor, left for Amritsar soon after landing in Delhi. 

They shall be receiving their son, who is expected to be handed over by Pakistan to India at about 2 pm, at the Wagah border.