Overview
- Two Airlink Embraer jets performed a dramatic low formation pass over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on August 29 that produced viral footage and raised questions about how close the aircraft came to the roof.
- The South African Civil Aviation Authority has opened compliance verifications, obtained flight data recorder downloads and asked Airlink for further information as part of its ongoing assessment.
- Airlink notified the SACAA on September 2 that it was withdrawing its application for a planned third flypast at FNB Stadium while the regulator completes its analysis.
- Airlink says the Cape Town operation was planned, rehearsed and flown by experienced crews under approved Special Air Events procedures, but aviation experts have publicly questioned the narrow altitude margins seen in spectator video and tracking data.
- The SACAA has promised a full report with recommendations when its review is complete, which could affect future approvals and the rules or oversight for stadium flypasts in South Africa.