Airlink flyover scrapped for next Springboks-All Blacks clash as SACAA investigates

Airlink jets

Johannesburg – The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has launched a review into Airlink’s dramatic low-level flypast over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium after the manoeuvre sparked questions about aviation safety.

The two Airlink aircraft flew over the stadium on Saturday, 29 August, shortly before the Springboks faced the All Blacks in the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 2 September, SACAA said it had been conducting compliance checks following concerns raised about the flypast and had obtained flight data recordings from the aircraft.

“Following various discussions in the media relating to the events of the past weekend, the SACAA initiated compliance verifications, engaged the operator, obtained the Flight Data Recording downloads as well as other additional requirements,” the authority said.

SACAA said Airlink had initially submitted applications for three flypasts linked to the rugby matches, with the first taking place in Johannesburg on 22 August and the second in Cape Town on 29 August.

According to the authority, both operations had been approved in accordance with regulatory provisions governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights.

“In relation to the second flypast, the operator submitted the application with supporting documentation applicable to such operations,” SACAA said.

“The necessary processes including the practice flight in a simulator in preparation for the Saturday flight and a safety briefing was conducted ahead of the operation as required by the regulations.”

The regulator said it had requested further information from Airlink before reaching a final position on the Cape Town flypast.

“The regulator has now finalised its analysis process and has requested additional information from the operator to reach an informed position,” SACAA said.

It added that a full report would be issued once the assessment had been completed.

“A full report with recommendations will be shared with the operator once the assessment has been completed by the SACAA.”

Airlink withdraws third flypast

The review comes as Airlink has withdrawn its application for a third flypast, which had been planned for an upcoming rugby match at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.

SACAA said the operator notified the authority on Wednesday that it was withdrawing the application.

The decision follows the intense public debate surrounding the Cape Town flypast, which saw the two passenger aircraft flying at an unusually low altitude above the packed stadium. Reports based on flight-tracking data estimated that the aircraft passed roughly 41 to 46 feet above the stadium roof.

Airlink has defended the Cape Town operation, saying it was carefully planned and rehearsed, while the airline previously said the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services had provided guidance and approval.

SACAA said the withdrawal of the third application does not remove the need to assess what happened in Cape Town.

“It is therefore critical that we interrogate this past weekend’s events with clear minds and data at our disposal to determine if there were any safety concerns which warrant a review,” the authority said.

The aviation regulator also sought to reassure the public about South Africa’s aviation safety record.

“The SACAA, as the safety net of the South African skies, gives the public the assurance that aviation safety and security compliance will always remain paramount and is not negotiable,” it said.

SACAA noted that South Africa remains highly ranked internationally for aviation safety standards.

“Our State is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for our aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations specialised agency on civil aviation safety and security,” the authority said.

The regulator said the findings of its assessment would determine whether any further action or recommendations were necessary.

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