Airlink E-Jets' 50-Foot Cape Town Stadium
Two Airlink Embraer E-Jets performed a low-level flyover over Cape Town's DHL Stadium on Saturday, with data suggesting one came within 50 feet of the
Two Airlink Embraer E-Jets performed a low-level flyover of Cape Town's DHL Stadium on Saturday ahead of a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. Flight tracking data analyzed by Flightradar24 suggests one aircraft came within approximately 50 feet of the stadium roof.
The flyover, broadcast live, quickly circulated online. Footage appeared to show the lead jet pitching up over the final stand, its tail dropping close to the roofline. A second jet followed closely behind. One aircraft was seen passing through pyrotechnics launched from the stadium.
Airlink Defends Approved Maneuver
In response to online criticism, Airlink released a statement. The airline said the flight required careful planning and rehearsal, involving navigating at low altitude at around 150 knots. It was conducted with full support and approval from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services.
The airline stated the two aircraft were flown by a highly experienced crew. Each jet had a crew of three senior captains acting as commander, co-pilot, and safety officer. Flight data confirmed the flights were performed within the SACAA's approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.
The aircraft involved were an Embraer E190 (registered ZS-YAE) and an Embraer E195 (registered ZS-YDE). Both featured special liveries for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. ZS-YAE was painted in an all-green scheme mirroring the South African team. ZS-YDE was painted black for New Zealand's All Blacks.
| Aircraft | Registration | Livery | Departure Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer E195 | ZS-YDE | Black (All Blacks) | ~2:10 PM from CPT |
| Embraer E190 | ZS-YAE | Green (South Africa) | Minutes after ZS-YDE |
Airlink had teased the flyover on social media before the match. The event took place moments before kick-off for the second Test of the tour, in front of a capacity crowd of 55,000.
Analysis Suggests Narrow Clearance
Flightradar24 data put the lowest recorded ADS-B altitude at 50 feet at standard pressure. Adjusted for Cape Town's conditions, this corrected to roughly 205 to 210 feet above mean sea level. The DHL Stadium is approximately 164 feet tall. This analysis leaves an estimated clearance of just 41 to 46 feet, or 12.5 to 14 meters, between the aircraft and the stadium roof.
The same stadium hosted a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300 flyover last year on June 28, 2025. That earlier event, for a Qatar Airways Cup match, drew little criticism compared to Saturday's double pass.
Airlink was named the official domestic airline for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in June. The green-liveried ZS-YAE was unveiled in July. Its repaint at Polokwane Gateway International Airport took 29 days and required around 60 liters of paint applied in three coats. The South African carrier operates an all-Embraer fleet of over 70 aircraft, serving more than 45 destinations.
Context of Commercial Flyovers
Aircraft flyovers are typically performed by military aircraft. A maneuver by a commercial jet is rarer. In June, an incident in Texas made headlines after a converted Boeing 777 freighter bound for Qatar Airways made a low pass over Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center. Footage showed its wingtip coming within inches of the ground.
In April, an Icelandair Boeing 757-200 with passengers onboard conducted a low pass over an Icelandic village at around 328 feet. This was on the operating captain's final flight before retirement. Although such retirement flyovers are a tradition, Iceland's Transport Authority found both pilots negligent. The captain was reported to the police.
Source: Simple Flying