South African airline behind daring stadium stunt cancels next flyby, regulator says

BBC World NewsUpdated Sep 2, 2026, 9:21 PM

The civil aviation authority says it is also investigating last Saturday's aerial display.

The South African airline behind a daring aerial stunt last Saturday that saw two planes flying in close formation low over a packed stadium has pulled out of doing a similar operation this weekend, the country's aviation regulator, SACAA, has said.

Airlink's flying feat divided opinion with some labelling the startling manoeuvre reckless, while others praised the precision and expertise on display.

SACAA said that while it had approved the applications and safety measures for the flybys, it was now investigating further following "discussions in the media".

Airlink has not commented on the reported cancellation of Saturday's display that had been due to place over a stadium in Soweto.

Footage of last weekend's air show before the start of a rugby match in Cape Town, featuring fierce rivals South Africa and New Zealand, was shared around the world.

The flight tracking website Flightradar24 said that according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50ft (15m) above the top of the stadium".

From some angles the jets appeared very close to the roof of the DHL Stadium as they roared over amid coloured flare smoke.

Image caption,The planes - one green, one black - flew over the stadium shortly before the start of the South Africa-New Zealand match

The airline said the flights were performed with the "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast" and were conducted by a "highly experienced crew".

But Airlink will not be repeating the flights over the stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, that is hosting the third and deciding test between the Springboks and the All Blacks, according to SACAA.

The regulator said that while the company had followed all the correct procedures it had now "obtained the flight data recording downloads as well as other additional requirements" for further analysis.

"SACAA, as the safety net of the South African skies, gives the public the assurance that aviation safety and security compliance will always remain paramount and is not negotiable," it said in a statement emphasising the excellent air safety record in the country.

The flyby has been a feature at major sporting and presidential events in South Africa several times over the years - using both military jets and commercial airlines.