South Africa's aviation regulator said on Wednesday it was reviewing a low stadium flyover that has sparked international debate as the airline involved cancelled the next flypast because of poor weather.
Dramatic images of two custom-liveried Airlink passenger jets swooping over the Cape Town stadium ahead of Saturday's rugby union test match between South Africa and New Zealand went viral, with critics charging it had been too risky.
Airlink Flyby South Africa Update – Airline rejected that the jets flew below minimal altitude over Stadium.
— Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al (@OnDisasters) August 30, 2026
In a statement, the airline said it was aware of the concerns expressed by the public regarding the operation carried out the previous day. According to the company, the… https://t.co/rpaai5Z3qR
South Africa's aviation authority (SACAA) said the airline had conducted all necessary procedures before the stunt, including a practice flight in a simulator.
However, following the public debate, it had "initiated compliance verifications" by engaging with Airlink and obtaining flight data recordings and extra information.
Global flight tracking service Flightradar24 has said its analysis showed the lead aircraft was at one point about 12.5 to 14 metres (41-46 feet) above the stadium's highest structure.
There were about 58 000 people present for a clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
Springbok sponsor Airlink has strongly rejected claims that it had been reckless, posting on X in response: "Planning. Precision. Performance."
Planning. Precision. Performance. ✈️✈️
— Airlink (@Fly_Airlink) August 29, 2026
Spectacular scenes of Airlink’s double Embraer flyover at the DHL Stadium.
Airlink is Proud Official Sponsor of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, presented by Castle Double Malt 🏉#Airlink #FlyAirlink #FlyTheLink #Skybucks #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/3tPNepftLS
In a statement on Wednesday, it said safety was the first consideration at every stage of the process and the aircraft were flown by crews comprising three senior captains.
However, plans for a repeat ahead of the September 5 test in Johannesburg had been cancelled as "the forecast weather points to unfavourable conditions for a safe formation flyby," it said.
It had offered to provide the aviation regulator's review with its own flight data which was more precise than public flight tracking mobile apps, it said.
The Cape Town flypast was the second of three planned displays tied to the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, following an earlier flyover before the first test between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 22.