South African aviation authorities are reviewing a low-altitude flyover by two Airlink passenger jets before a rugby match at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed on Wednesday that they are analyzing flight data recordings and have requested additional information from Airlink for assessment. A comprehensive report with recommendations will be released following the completion of the review.
Airlink has canceled plans for a similar flyover at an upcoming rugby match in Soweto, as confirmed by SACAA, the regulatory body responsible for overseeing aviation safety and security. The previous flyover, which occurred before the Springboks-All Blacks rugby match on August 29, was met with enthusiastic cheers from a crowd of approximately 56,000 spectators. However, concerns about safety were raised after video footage captured by onlookers both inside and outside the stadium circulated online.
Deandra Peters, a 25-year-old pilot and aviation enthusiast attending her first live rugby match, described the electrifying atmosphere inside the stadium during the flyover. Peters emphasized that the experience of being among passionate Springbok supporters reacting to the flyover was beyond what could be conveyed through video recordings.
Airlink defended the flyover, stating that it was meticulously planned and rehearsed with safety being the top priority at every stage. Each aircraft involved had three senior captains on board, boasting a collective flight experience exceeding 75,000 hours. Earlier this week, Airlink submitted data from the airplanes’ black boxes to the civil aviation authority for scrutiny.
Acknowledging the public excitement generated by the flyover, Airlink’s CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht recognized the subsequent “valid questions and concerns” raised. The airline clarified that their intention was not to attract attention or overshadow the rugby event.
The airline had initially applied for three flyovers, with the recent one in Cape Town being the second, following the first in Johannesburg on August 22. Both flyovers received approval in compliance with special air event regulations. Airlink has since withdrawn its application for a flyover scheduled for September 5 over Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium due to unfavorable weather conditions that could compromise the safety of a formation flyby.
Stadium flybys have been a longstanding tradition in South African rugby, dating back to significant matches like the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg. However, the recent low and dramatic flyover has attracted international attention, prompting some aviation experts to question whether the aircraft operated with a sufficient margin of safety.