Archive · 2 Sep 2026
South Africa Reviews Low Airlink Flyover After Stadium Safety Concerns
Two Airlink passenger planes flew low over a rugby stadium in Cape Town before a big match.
Many fans cheered, but some people worried that the stunt might not have been safe.
South Africa’s aviation regulator is now checking what happened.
It has received information from the planes and asked Airlink for more details.
The regulator will later publish a report and recommendations.
Airlink says the flyover was carefully planned and practiced.
The airline also says safety was its first concern and that experienced captains were on the planes.
Airlink canceled another planned flyover in Johannesburg because the weather forecast was not suitable.
Stadium flyovers have been part of major South African rugby events for many years.
South Africa’s aviation authority is reviewing a low flyover by two Airlink passenger jets at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
The flyover took place before the Springboks-All Blacks rugby match on Aug. 29 before an estimated crowd of 56,000.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority obtained flight recordings and requested more information from Airlink.
Airlink said the maneuver was carefully planned and rehearsed, with three senior captains aboard each aircraft.
Airlink withdrew its planned Sept. 1 flyover over Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, citing unfavorable forecast weather conditions.
- Who
- The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Airlink are involved; the flyover used two Airlink passenger jets.
- What
- The aviation authority is reviewing a low flyover at a rugby stadium and its possible safety risks.
- When
- The flyover occurred on Aug. 29; the review was announced on Wednesday, and another flyover had been planned for Sept. 1.
- Where
- The reviewed flyover took place at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium; the canceled event was planned for Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.
- Why
- The review was prompted by safety concerns raised after spectator videos of the low flyover circulated online.
Regulator’s Safety Review
Airlink’s Defense
Whether the flyover raised safety concerns
Regulator’s Safety Review
The South African Civil Aviation Authority said it would examine the event and flight data to determine whether safety concerns warranted a review.
Airlink’s Defense
Airlink said the maneuver was carefully planned and rehearsed, and that safety was the first consideration at every stage.
Evidence and accountability
Regulator’s Safety Review
The regulator obtained flight data recordings, requested additional information from Airlink, and said it would issue a report with recommendations.
Airlink’s Defense
Airlink had already provided data from the aircraft black boxes and said each plane carried three senior captains with more than 75,000 combined flight hours across the crews.
Future flyovers
Regulator’s Safety Review
The SACAA confirmed that Airlink withdrew its application for the planned Johannesburg flyover.
Airlink’s Defense
Airlink said forecast weather conditions were unfavorable for a safe formation flyby and withdrew the application.
- Regulator
- South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
- Airline
- Airlink
- Reviewed event
- A low flyover by two Airlink passenger jets before a rugby match
- Location
- DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Date
- Aug. 29
- Estimated crowd
- About 56,000 people
- Canceled flyover
- A planned Sept. 1 flyover over FNB Stadium in Johannesburg