Airlink Defends Low‑Altitude Fly‑Past Over Cape Town Stadium
The South African airline Airlink defended a daring fly‑past over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, occurring minutes before the start of a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. The jets, observed flying within feet of the stadium roof while flares painted the sky, were scrutinised as potentially reckless by some, though others praised the precision and skill involved.
Airlink emphasised that the stunt had been carefully planned with the cooperation of aviation authorities and carried out by highly experienced crews. Each of the two aircraft featured a senior crew of three captains—command, co‑pilot, and safety/technical officer—working in concert at the approved safety altitude and speed limits.
Flight‑tracking analysis shows the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the stadium’s top, underscoring the low‑altitude nature of the display but the airline assured that safety protocols were fully observed.
While concerns about the risk and safety of having aircraft so close to a packed venue were raised, many South Africans expressed pride in the nation's pilots and the spectacle’s historic significance, recalling past fly‑bys such as the 1995 World Cup finale that highlighted national unity.
