Airlink cancels third rugby flypast amid SACAA review
Airlink has withdrawn its application for a third formation flypast over a rugby Test after the South African Civil Aviation Authority began analyzing
Airlink has withdrawn its application to conduct a third formation flypast over a South Africa versus New Zealand rugby Test. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is now analyzing flight data from the airline's August 29, 2026, pass over Cape Town's DHL Stadium, which drew safety concerns after video footage appeared online.
In a September 2, 2026, statement, the SACAA said Airlink had filed three flypast applications for the Test series. The first was flown in Johannesburg on August 22, 2026. The second was the Cape Town pass on August 29. The regulator stated the applications were submitted under Part 91.06.32, which governs non-revenue flights, and were approved following requirements for special air events. For the Cape Town flight, the operator supplied the necessary documentation, completed a simulator practice flight, and held a safety briefing beforehand.
SACAA begins compliance review
Following media coverage of the Cape Town pass, the SACAA initiated compliance verifications. The regulator engaged with Airlink and obtained downloads from the aircraft's flight data recorders, along with other material. Analysis of the data has begun, and the SACAA has requested further information from the airline. 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 the third flypast. This event was planned for the September 5 Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The airline publicly confirmed the withdrawal on September 2. CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht cited a weather forecast indicating conditions would be unsuitable for a safe formation flyby.
Flight tracking data analysis
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 provided data on the Cape Town pass. The service put the lead aircraft's lowest recorded ADS-B altitude at 50 feet at standard pressure. Using a local pressure setting of 1019 hPa, Flightradar24 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, or 12.5 to 14 meters.
The aircraft involved were an Embraer E195 registered ZS-YDE and an Embraer E190 registered ZS-YAE. In an August 30, 2026, statement, Airlink said the flypast was conducted at approximately 150 knots following extensive planning and rehearsal. The airline stated that SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) provided guidance, approval, and support.
Airlink said each aircraft carried three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot, and safety or technical officer. The airline asserted that recorded flight data confirmed both aircraft remained within the approved altitude and speed limits for the flypast. The SACAA has not said when its assessment will be completed.
Airliner flypasts over stadiums are a regular feature of major sporting events. The source cited a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 pass over Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium on March 30, 2025, as an example.
