Christchurch mosque shootings: Ozair Kadir will return to family in India

Ozair Kadir came to New Zealand with the hope of following in his older brother's footsteps by becoming a pilot.

Instead, that person he looked up to most in the world has to take his little brother's body home to their parents in Hyderabad, India.

The Christchurch-based 24-year-old - who studying at the International Aviation Academy of New Zealand - was one of the 50 people killed in the Christchurch terror attack last Friday.

After calling New Zealand his home for the past year, Kadir will be laid to rest nearly 12,000 km away.

He leaves behind his aviation brothers and sisters who respected him at the highest level.

"For the rest of their careers, every time they fly, they will remember Ozair," chief executive of International Aviation of New Zealand Jermey Ford told the Herald.

Ford described the young pilot as one of the most well-respected students in the academy.

"It's affected all our students and instructors deeply. The comments that have been circulating this last week have been that he was well-respected and pleasant man to be around and I think that says a lot," Ford said.

He said Kadir didn't smile often but when he did he had the biggest grin in the room.

"I've heard a few saying things like 'I'll fly through the skies with you Kadir'," Ford said.

One friend wrote on Facebook: "You were such a respectful and a kind person. I will forever remember the interesting conversations we had."

Another said: "Rest in peace brother. We know you'll forever be soaring the skies with us."

The academy plans to organise a memorial of some sort to remember all Kadir contributed.

"I have been thinking a lot about that and I think we want to do something for the family and include them in that process," Ford said.