Airline Defends Decision to Fly Two Full Sized Passenger Jets So Close to a Packed Stadium That They Nearly Grazed the Roof

Airlink, a South African airline backed by Qatar Airways, stands by its controversial flyover of two full-sized passenger jets near a stadium in Cape Town. Footage of the daring stunt went viral, revealing how perilously close the aircraft—Embraer SA passenger jets—came to the 55,000-capacity venue’s roof during the Springboks vs. All Blacks match.

Social media users described the flyover as a near-crash, not a show of skill. Airlink, in a statement, acknowledged the concerns and emphasized that the operation was meticulously planned and executed by experienced crews, with each aircraft commanded by three senior captains. The airline insisted that the flyover required careful planning and rehearsal due to its low altitude and speed, and it had obtained necessary approvals from the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services.

Experts, however, expressed shock at the flyover’s proximity to the stadium. Flightradar24 calculated that one plane flew within less than 50 feet of the rooftop, where the rugby match was taking place. One plane also appeared to be flying lower than the other, casting doubt on Airlink’s claims of tight control. Aviation professionals, including Scott Bateman and Keith Tonkin, pointed out that although the stunt may have been well-planned, the margins were potentially too narrow, and unexpected events like turbulence or a bird strike could have been disastrous.