Airlink cancels third rugby flypast as SACAA reviews low stadium pass
Airlink has withdrawn its application to fly a third formation flypast over a South Africa versus New Zealand rugby Test, while the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) analyzes flight data from the airline’s August 29, 2026, pass over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
In a statement dated September 2, 2026, SACAA said Airlink had filed three flypast applications tied to the Test series. The first was flown in Johannesburg on August 22, 2026, and the second over DHL Stadium on August 29, 2026. The Cape Town pass drew safety concerns after video footage appeared online.
Planning. Precision. Performance. 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— Airlink (@Fly_Airlink) August 29, 2026
The regulator said the applications were submitted under Part 91.06.32, which governs flights carrying neither passengers nor cargo, and were approved in line with its requirements for special air events. For the Cape Town flight, SACAA said the operator supplied the documentation applicable to such operations and completed a simulator practice flight and safety briefing beforehand.
SACAA begins compliance review of Cape Town flypast
Following media coverage of the pass, SACAA began compliance verifications, engaged Airlink and obtained downloads from the aircraft’s flight data recorders, together with other material.
The regulator has started analyzing the data and requested further information from the airline. SACAA said a full report containing recommendations will be shared with Airlink once the assessment is complete.
Airlink notified the regulator on September 1, 2026, that it was withdrawing its application for a third flypast, planned for the September 5 Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The airline publicly confirmed the withdrawal on September 2, with CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht citing a weather forecast indicating that conditions would be unsuitable for a safe formation flyby.
Flight tracking indicates clearance of around 41 feet
Flightradar24 put the lead aircraft’s lowest recorded ADS-B altitude at 50 feet at standard pressure. Using a local pressure setting of 1019 hPa, the tracking service corrected that figure to between 205 and 210 feet above mean sea level.
With the stadium at an elevation of 164 feet, the aircraft cleared the roof by 41 to 46 feet (12.5 to 14 meters).
The aircraft involved were an Embraer E195 registered ZS-YDE and an Embraer E190 registered ZS-YAE.
In a statement dated August 30, 2026, Airlink said the flypast was conducted at approximately 150 knots following extensive planning and rehearsal. The airline said SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) provided guidance, approval and support.
Each aircraft carried three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety or technical officer. Airlink said the recorded flight data confirmed that both aircraft remained within the altitude and speed limits approved for the flypast.
Airliner flypasts over stadiums are a regular feature of major sporting events, including a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 pass over Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium on March 30, 2025.
SACAA has not said when its assessment will be completed.The post Airlink cancels third rugby flypast as SACAA reviews low stadium pass appeared first on AeroTime.
Airlink has withdrawn its application to fly a third formation flypast over a South Africa versus New Zealand…
The post Airlink cancels third rugby flypast as SACAA reviews low stadium pass appeared first on AeroTime.
