South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt over packed stadium
Airlink says the manoeuvre with two planes in close formation involved careful and precise planning.
The South African airline Airlink defended its low-altitude aerial stunt over the DHL stadium in Cape Town ahead of a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. The jets flew in close formation within feet of the stadium's roof, with flares launching before the start of the game. While some criticized the maneuver as reckless, others praised the precision and skill involved.
Airlink stated that the flights were carefully planned with the support of aviation authorities, and the two aircraft were operated by highly experienced crews. The flight passed less than 50 feet (15 meters) above the top of the stadium, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24. Despite the controversy, many South Africans expressed national pride, remembering a similar low-altitude flyby during the 1995 rugby World Cup final where South Africa defeated New Zealand, marking a significant moment in the country's history.
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