'Give that pilot a Bells': Mzansi reacts to Airlink’s low DHL Stadium fly-past

Airlink has confirmed that a recent flyby of two of its aircraft over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium during a rugby event adhered to all safety regulations. The flyby took place on Saturday as part of the promotional activities leading up to the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series between South Africa’s Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks. Concerns were raised on social media and online forums regarding the low altitude of the aircraft during the maneuver. Airlink stated that the flight required meticulous planning and rehearsal due to the low-altitude nature of the operation, which involved speeds of approximately 150 knots. The flight was coordinated with the assistance of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards. Each of the two aircraft involved in the flyby was crewed by highly experienced pilots, including three senior captains who served as commander, co-pilot, and safety/technical officer. Airlink emphasized that flight data collected from both aircraft verified that the flyby was executed within the pre-approved altitude and speed limits set by the SACAA. Despite this confirmation, FlightRadar24, a flight tracking service, analyzed the aircraft’s ADS-B altitude data and noted that the planes passed less than 50 feet above the top of the stadium. According to the service, the lowest recorded ADS-B altitude was 50 feet above mean sea level under standard pressure conditions. After adjusting for local atmospheric pressure, FlightRadar24 estimated the actual altitude of the aircraft to be between 205 and 210 feet above mean sea level. Given that the DHL Stadium is located near sea level and its structure reaches approximately 164 feet in height, the service calculated the minimum clearance between the aircraft and the stadium to be between 41 and 46 feet. The two aircraft used for the flyby were Airlink-operated Embraer models, green ZS-YAE E190 and black ZS-YDE E195. These planes were specially painted in the colors representing the competing teams and bore the official Tour logo. The event aimed to generate excitement ahead of the high-profile rugby match, drawing attention through the dramatic aerial display. The close proximity of the aircraft to the stadium sparked debate among spectators and aviation enthusiasts. While Airlink maintained that all safety protocols were followed, some questioned whether the maneuver met public expectations for safety, particularly given the visibility of the event from the ground. There were no reports of incidents or emergencies during the flyby, and authorities have not issued any formal statements indicating violations of airspace rules. Moving forward, Airlink is likely to continue engaging with the public and regulatory bodies to address concerns while maintaining transparency about its operations. The incident highlights the balance between promoting major sporting events through innovative means and ensuring strict adherence to aviation safety guidelines. As discussions surrounding the event persist, further clarification may emerge from ongoing reviews or additional analyses from independent aviation experts.