Weather grounds Airlink’s FNB flyby for Boks-All Blacks FNB Stadium clash

The third match in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, scheduled for Saturday, will not feature an Airlink flyby. Airlink has canceled its application for another flyby over FNB Stadium due to forecast weather conditions deemed unsafe for a formation flight by chief executive de Villiers Engelbrecht. This decision follows a previous flyby over Cape Town Stadium that gained global attention, both praise and criticism, amidst safety concerns.

In a statement, Engelbrecht expressed regret to fans and supporters, emphasizing that safety is the top priority and the players' on-field performance will provide sufficient excitement. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is reviewing flight recorder data and other information from the Cape Town display, initiated after the flight was approved but subsequently subject to compliance verifications.

SACAA assured the public that aviation safety and security compliance is non-negotiable. Airlink stands by the Cape Town display, stating that the complexity of the parameters being examined delayed the immediate feedback from SACAA. The airline provided digital flight data to SACAA voluntarily due to the public interest. Both aircraft used were crewed by three senior captains with over 75,000 combined flying hours, maintaining that they remained within approved limits.

The carrier reiterated that the flight required careful planning, rehearsal, and authorization from SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services. The viral flyby sparked international attention after two Airlink Embraer jets in green-and-gold and black liveries swept over the packed stadium, with the lead aircraft estimated to have cleared the stadium roof by just 41 to 46 feet.