In brief
Airlink performed a high‑profile fly‑past over a Soweto stadium last Saturday, flying two aircraft less than 50 feet above the pitch, a stunt that drew both praise and criticism. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) had approved the operation but is now investigating following media comments. Airlink has said it will not repeat the spectacle, and SACAA highlighted that safety procedures were followed and that further analysis of flight data is underway.
South African airline Airlink is pulling its planned stadium fly‑past after a daring low‑altitude stunt performed last Saturday, the country's aviation regulator, SACAA, has stated.
The two aircraft, coloured green and black, flew in tight formation less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the roof of the DHL Stadium in Soweto, moments before the kickoff of a high‑profile rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. The footage spread rapidly across social media, inciting a debate: some hailed the display as a testament to pilot skill, while others labelled it reckless.
SACAA said it had approved the safety plans and rehearsed altitude limits for the flyby. However, in response to media discussions, the regulator is conducting a further investigation, requesting full flight‑data recordings and additional documentation from Airlink.
Airlink confirmed that the pilots followed all approved safety protocols and that the operation was carried out by a “highly experienced crew”. Yet it has announced that it will not repeat the fly‑past over the Soweto stadium in the upcoming week.
The stunt isn’t unique to Airlink; South African authorities have staged similar displays at sporting and presidential events in the past, employing both military jets and commercial planes.
Read more about Airlink’s flying feat
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The planes—one green, one black—flew over the stadium shortly before the South Africa‑New Zealand match.
