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The Civil Aviation Authority of South Africa (SACAA) is investigating a low-altitude flyover conducted by two Airlink passenger planes during an international rugby match in Cape Town. The regional airline announced it had cancelled another planned flyby for a rugby test between South Africa and New Zealand in Johannesburg this weekend due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is conducting a compliance verification of the August 29 flyover in Cape Town's DHL stadium to ensure all safety protocols were followed. Footage of the flyby, showing the planes in formation passing over the crowd, went viral on social media, sparking discussion about potential safety risks.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 reported that the lead aircraft passed less than 15 meters above the top of the packed stadium. The SACAA stated it was analyzing flight data from Airlink and would review any additional information provided before issuing a report. The airline had obtained approval for the flyovers, which were deemed to adhere to special air event requirements.

Airlink emphasized that the maneuver was carefully planned and rehearsed with safety as the top priority. The airline's CEO acknowledged the valid concerns raised while explaining the decision to cancel the Johannesburg flyby due to forecasted unfavorable weather conditions. Stadium flybys have been a tradition at major rugby matches in South Africa since the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a Boeing 747 flew over the stadium before the Springboks faced New Zealand.

The SACAA highlighted that South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards, with no fatal accidents in commercial airline operations for over four decades.