Airlink has until 15 October to respond to a report from South Africa’s aviation regulator following a controversial low-altitude flyover at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium in August.
Image used for illustrative purposes/dkbasson/Wikiemedia Commons
According to MyBroadband, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has completed its compliance review of the flight, which saw two Airlink aircraft pass over the stadium shortly before the Springboks faced the All Blacks on 29 August. The manoeuvre attracted international attention after footage of the aircraft flying close to the stadium roof circulated widely on social media.
According to flight-tracking data reported by MyBroadband, one of the aircraft passed approximately 12.5 to 14 metres above the stadium roof. The dramatic display prompted questions about aviation safety, although Airlink maintained that the flight was conducted within the safety limits approved by the relevant authorities.
Airlink given deadline to respond
SACAA commissioner Poppy Khoza confirmed on 13 October that the regulator had concluded its verification process and submitted a report to Airlink.
The airline was initially given 15 days to respond but requested an additional 15 days. The extended deadline is 15 October 2026.
The regulator has not publicly detailed the report’s findings. However, Khoza said that the authority would assess Airlink’s response before deciding whether further action was necessary. She also stressed that approval for a flypast does not remove an operator’s responsibility to comply with aviation regulations. Even an authorised manoeuvre can present risks if the required safety procedures are not followed. SACAA has indicated that its review process could result in corrective or punitive action if wrongdoing is established.
“We will assess Airlink’s response fairly and take appropriate action if the conclusion is that there was wrongdoing. Public safety remains our overriding priority,” Khoza said.
Airlink maintains the flyover was conducted safely
Airlink previously defended the manoeuvre, saying it had been carefully planned and rehearsed in consultation with SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services. The airline said the two aircraft were operated by experienced crews and that their recorded flight data indicated that the flypast remained within the approved altitude and speed limits. Airlink also volunteered flight data from the aircraft for independent verification by the regulator.
The flyover formed part of the build-up to the Springboks’ Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand at DHL Stadium. The aircraft, which carried special liveries associated with the two teams, made a striking appearance before the match. The incident has since drawn attention to the safety considerations involved in low-altitude aircraft displays over major sporting venues. For now, the next step rests with Airlink, which must respond to the regulator’s report by the extended deadline. SACAA will then consider the airline’s explanation and determine whether any further action is warranted.
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