South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt
Airlink defends a dramatic low-altitude flypast below 50 feet over DHL Stadium in Cape Town before the South Africa-New Zealand rugby match.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Airlink defends its low-level flypast over the Cape Town rugby stadium
- Flightradar24 estimates the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet above the venue
- Public reaction is divided
- Critics labelled the close formation flight reckless
- Supporters praised the precision and expertise of the flight crew
- Low-altitude flybys echo historical matches from the 1995 Nelson Mandela era
The South African airline behind a dramatic aerial display involving two aircraft flying in close formation near the top of a packed stadium has defended its actions following criticism. The jets roared over Cape Town's DHL Stadium accompanied by bursting flares just before the kickoff of a high-stakes rugby match between fierce rivals South Africa and New Zealand.
While some observers condemned the manoeuvre as reckless, others praised the exceptional precision and expertise required by the pilots to execute the flight. In response to the backlash, Airlink issued a statement confirming that the stunt was thoroughly planned and conducted with the backing of aviation authorities.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
According to the airline's statement published on a government news portal, the two aircraft were piloted by highly experienced crews. Each flight deck comprised three senior captains fulfilling the roles of commander, co-pilot, and safety or technical officer. The airline emphasized that the manoeuvres strictly adhered to approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported via its analysis that the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet, or approximately 15 meters, above the top of the stadium structure. Although questions regarding potential safety risks have been raised, many South Africans expressed national pride regarding the skill demonstrated by the country's pilots.
Low-altitude flypasts have served as a traditional buildup feature for major sports fixtures in South Africa for decades. The most iconic historical precedent occurred during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg, immortalised in film and associated with President Nelson Mandela wearing the national jersey to unite a post-apartheid nation. Consequently, modern flypasts often carry cultural and historical significance alongside rigorous aviation safety scrutiny.
Source: BBC World
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