Airlink has pulled its application for a flypast over FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Airlink has pulled its application for a flypast over FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 5 September 2026, when the Springboks will face the All Blacks in the final test of the Greatest Rivalry Tour.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said in a statement on Wednesday that Airlink had submitted three applications for flypasts related to the tour and has withdrawn the last one.
This follows the ongoing controversy surrounding Airlink’s flypast on 29 August over DHL Stadium in Cape Town for the Springboks’ second match against the All Blacks, which the home team won.
Two branded Airlink Embraer jets, one green-and-gold and the other black, made a low-altitude pass over the stadium as a match between the Springboks and the All Blacks commenced.
One of the planes that took part in the flyover, the black Embraer E195, was 12.5 to 14 metres above the roof of the stadium at one point in the flight.
Data from Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft was at a lower altitude than it had ever recorded during such manoeuvres.
“Our lowest recorded ADS-B altitude was 50 ft at standard pressure, or approximately 205–210 ft AMSL when corrected for the local QNH of 1019 hPa,” Flightradar24 said on Saturday.
“With DHL Stadium standing about 164 ft tall near sea level, that puts the aircraft roughly 41–46 ft above the top of the stadium.”
The jet’s altitude above sea level was about 62 to 64 metres. However, in the context of the stadium roof, the aircraft was about 1.22 to 2.74 metres lower than Flightradar’s lowest recorded flight over structures.
Videos and images of the flyover circulated on social media, prompting much local and international interest.
Critics said the flight was dangerously low, even by South African flyover standards. The speed at which the planes were flying and their low altitude allegedly left virtually no margin for error.
“SACAA can confirm that it is looking into the flypast that took place on Saturday, 29 August 2026,” South Africa’s aviation regulator said.
“Airlink submitted three applications for flypasts related to the rugby matches, of which the flypast under discussion is the second of the three applications.”
SACAA said the applications were submitted in line with the regulatory provisions governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights.
“Following the SACAA approval, the first flypast took place on 22 August 2026 in Johannesburg, and the second one took place on 29 August 2026.”
In relation to the second flypast, Airlink submitted the application with supporting documentation applicable to such operations.
Additionally, Airlink conducted a practice flight in a simulator and held a safety briefing ahead of the operation, as required by the regulations.
“This was approved by the Regulator, in line with the requirements for Special Air Events,” SACAA confirmed.
The regulator said that following the media storm around the extreme low-altitude stunt, it initiated compliance verifications.
“SACAA engaged the operator, obtained the flight data recording downloads as well as other additional requirements,” it said.
Airlink’s version of events is slightly different, stating that it volunteered the data recorded by the two aircraft’s black boxes for SACAA to verify, following the criticism it received.
Either way, SACAA said it had begun its analysis and requested additional information from Airlink to reach an informed position.
“A full report with recommendations will be shared with the operator once the assessment has been completed by the SACAA,” it stated.
“South Africa has one of the most sought-after aviation talents in the world, and as a country, we remain proud of the 0% record in fatal accidents in the commercial airline operations space for over four decades.”
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