Two passenger jets from Airlink performed a low-altitude flyover at Cape Town's DHL Stadium during an international rugby match last weekend. Following this event, South Africa's aviation authority is investigating the flyover, and Airlink has canceled a subsequent flypast scheduled for an upcoming rugby test between South Africa and New Zealand in Johannesburg, citing unfavorable weather conditions.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is conducting a compliance verification of the August 29 flyover to ensure that all safety protocols were followed by the crew. Footage of the flyby, which showed two planes flying in formation over the crowd, has been widely circulated on social media, raising concerns about safety risks. According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the lead aircraft flew less than 15 meters (50 feet) above the packed stadium.
The SACAA is analyzing flight data provided by Airlink and will review additional information requested from the airline before issuing a report. The regulator noted that Airlink had applied for the flyovers, which were approved in accordance with the requirements for special air events.
Airlink stated that the maneuver was carefully planned and rehearsed, emphasizing that safety was the primary consideration throughout the process. Each aircraft involved had three senior captains on board, collectively possessing 75,000 hours of flying experience. However, Airlink acknowledged the valid questions and concerns raised by the public.
Airlink's Chief Executive, de Villiers Engelbrecht, explained that the decision to cancel the flypast in Johannesburg was made due to the forecast of unfavorable weather conditions for a safe formation flyby. Flybys at major rugby matches have been a tradition in South Africa since the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a Boeing 747 flew over the stadium before the match between South Africa and New Zealand.
The SACAA highlighted that South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization, noting that there have been no fatal accidents in its commercial airline operations for over four decades.