JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The dramatic jet flyby that thrilled rugby fans and exploded across social media will not be repeated at FNB Stadium this weekend, as Airlink withdraws its planned formation display while aviation authorities continue reviewing its controversial Cape Town performance.
The South African regional airline confirmed it had withdrawn its application for a third flyby ahead of Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto, citing forecast weather conditions that were not considered suitable for a safe formation flight.
The decision comes days after two Airlink Embraer aircraft delivered a spectacular low-level formation flyby over DHL Stadium in Cape Town on August 29, immediately before the Springboks faced New Zealand.
The footage quickly went viral, with spectators and aviation enthusiasts debating whether the breathtaking display was an impressive feat of precision flying—or simply too close for comfort.
The numbers that caught the world’s attention
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 estimated that the lead aircraft passed approximately 41 to 46 feet (12 to 14 metres) above the stadium roof.
The aircraft were reportedly travelling at around 150 knots (278 km/h) and were not carrying passengers. Airlink said each aircraft had three senior captains aboard, serving as commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer, with the crews representing more than 75,000 combined flying hours.
The spectacle delighted an estimated 56,000 spectators, but the dramatic images also triggered questions about the safety margin involved in operating passenger jets at such low altitude near a packed stadium.
Aviation regulator now examining the Cape Town flight
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has launched a compliance verification into the August 29 operation.
Importantly, the regulator has confirmed that the Cape Town flyby had been approved beforehand and that Airlink had submitted the necessary documentation. SACAA also said the required preparation—including a simulator practice flight and safety briefing—had been completed.
However, after the flyby generated widespread public and media discussion, the authority obtained the aircraft’s flight-data recordings and requested additional information from Airlink.
SACAA said it is analysing the information before reaching an informed conclusion and will issue a report with recommendations once the assessment is complete.
That means there is currently no final regulatory finding declaring the Cape Town flyby unsafe or in violation of aviation rules.
Airlink stands by the controversial display
Airlink has maintained that the Cape Town operation was carefully planned, rehearsed and conducted safely.
The airline voluntarily provided its digital flight data to the regulator and said the aircraft remained within the applicable approved parameters. CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht acknowledged the enormous public reaction but stressed that safety remained the airline’s priority.
The airline also said the decision to abandon the FNB Stadium flyby was based on the weather forecast, rather than an announced regulatory ban.
“We never intended to become the news,” Engelbrecht said, emphasizing that the airline did not want to overshadow the rugby rivalry.
A rugby tradition now takes an unexpected turn
Stadium flybys have a special place in South African rugby culture.
The tradition became internationally famous during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 flew over Ellis Park in Johannesburg before South Africa faced New Zealand. That iconic moment was later recreated in the film Invictus.
Airlink had planned three flybys connected to the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures. SACAA confirmed that the first took place in Johannesburg on August 22, while the second occurred in Cape Town on August 29. The third planned display has now been withdrawn.
All eyes now turn to the rugby
The cancellation means Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium will proceed without the highly anticipated Airlink aerial spectacle.
The Springboks and All Blacks enter the match level at 1-1 after South Africa’s 33-26 victory in Cape Town. The September 5 encounter in Johannesburg therefore carries major significance in the four-Test series.
For fans who were hoping to see another pair of jets roar over the stadium, the disappointment is real.
But the bigger question now sits with South Africa’s aviation regulator:
After the viral Cape Town flyby, what exactly will SACAA’s final review reveal about the flight that captivated—and concerned—the world?
WWC ONE MEDIA MJE
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