Airlink Cancels Second Flypast Before Boks-All Blacks Test

Airlink has cancelled a second flypast planned for Saturday's Springboks-All Blacks test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, as South Africa's aviation regulator reviews a similar display the airline carried out last week over Cape Town.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is checking flight data recordings from the 29 August flyby, when two Airlink Embraer jets passed in formation over the DHL Stadium roof during the build-up to the second Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks. Flightradar24 recorded the lead aircraft passing less than 50 feet (15m) above the stadium.

SACAA executive Phindiwe Gwebu explained why the regulator opened the review.

"We are currently conducting a compliance verification just to satisfy ourselves that all safety protocols were adhered to by the crew."

Airlink says it handed over the data voluntarily and stands by the manoeuvre, carried out by three senior captains with a combined 75,000 hours of flying experience. Chief executive De Villiers Engelbrecht pointed to the weather rather than the ongoing probe as the reason for pulling out of Saturday's display.

"Although we have also heard the widespread enthusiasm for a flyby at FNB Stadium this weekend, the forecast weather points to unfavourable conditions for a safe formation flyby."

The 29 August flyby drew an estimated crowd of 56,000 and spread quickly on Social media, but also stirred debate over the safety risk of flying passenger jets so close to a packed stadium. SACAA says it will issue a full report with recommendations once the review is finished.

South Africa and New Zealand are level at 1-1 in the four-Test series after the Cape Town match, with Saturday's third Test at FNB Stadium now set to go ahead without any flyover.