South African airline Airlink has cancelled a planned formation flyby over Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium ahead of Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks rugby Test, citing unfavorable weather conditions. The airline withdrew its application after forecasts indicated that conditions would not be suitable for a safe formation flight. The cancellation comes days after two Airlink passenger aircraft staged a dramatic low-level flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium before the August 29 rugby match. The Cape Town display attracted worldwide attention after footage showed two Embraer aircraft flying in close formation over a stadium packed with tens of thousands of spectators. Flight-tracking analysis by Flightradar24 estimated that the lead aircraft passed about 41–46 feet (12–14 meters) above the stadium roof.
The spectacle divided public opinion. While many praised the pilots’ precision, others questioned whether the unusually low flight left enough margin for error. Airlink has defended the operation, saying it was carefully planned, rehearsed and conducted within approved altitude and speed limits. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is now conducting a compliance review. The regulator has obtained the aircraft’s digital flight-data recordings and requested additional information from Airlink. The approval process had included a simulator exercise and safety briefing before the Cape Town operation.
Airlink said the Cape Town flyby was carried out by highly experienced crews. Each aircraft had three senior captains, with the teams reporting more than 75,000 combined flight hours. The airline has also voluntarily supplied its flight data to assist the regulator’s assessment. Airlink Chief Executive de Villiers Engelbrecht said the company appreciated the public enthusiasm surrounding the displays but acknowledged the concerns raised. He said the airline had never intended to overshadow the rugby matches and that safety remained its priority. The cancelled Johannesburg flyby would have been the third aerial display associated with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. South Africa and New Zealand enter Saturday’s match at FNB Stadium level at 1-1 in the four-Test series.
