South African airline Airlink defends dramatic stadium flyover

A South African airline defended its low-altitude aerial stunt over a packed stadium, with two aircraft reportedly flying within feet of the top of DHL Stadium in Cape Town. The jets performed the maneuver before a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, with smoke flares shot up during the spectacle. While some criticized the move as reckless, others praised the precision and expertise required to execute such a feat.

Airlink, the airline, stated that the operation was carefully planned in collaboration with aviation authorities, involving highly experienced crews and adhering to approved safety altitude and speed limits. The flight tracking website Flightradar24 analyzed the incident, confirming that the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 meters) above the stadium.

The low flyby has become a common feature in South Africa's pre-match events, with notable examples including a South African Airways jet flying over Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium prior to the 1995 rugby World Cup final. This particular event was particularly symbolic, as it took place shortly after Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president, symbolizing a shift from the apartheid era to a more inclusive nation.