Two Airlink Embraer aircraft fly over DHL Stadium in Cape Town before the second Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks on Saturday
Image: AIRLINK
Airlink has withdrawn its application for a third fly-past planned for this weekend, as the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) continues to review the airline’s fly-past ahead of Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks clash.
The SACAA said Airlink notified the regulator on Wednesday, September 1, that it was withdrawing the application for approval for the planned third fly-past.
The development comes after the regulator launched compliance verifications following the August 29 fly-past, which took place ahead of the international rugby fixture.
The SACAA said it had engaged with Airlink, obtained flight data recorder downloads and requested additional information as part of its assessment.
The regulator is analysing the information and said it had requested further details from Airlink before reaching an informed position.
A full report, including recommendations, will be shared with the operator once the assessment has been completed.
Airlink had submitted three applications for fly-pasts linked to the rugby matches.
The August 29 operation was the second of the three applications, while the first flypast took place in Johannesburg on August 22 following SACAA approval.
The regulator said the applications were submitted in accordance with regulations governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights under Part 91.06.32.
For the August 29 operation, Airlink submitted the required application and supporting documentation. The SACAA said a simulator practice flight and safety briefing had also been completed as required by the regulations.
The fly-past was approved by the regulator in line with requirements for Special Air Events.
The SACAA said its compliance checks followed media discussions about the events surrounding the August 29 fly-past.
It stressed that aviation safety and security compliance remained paramount and was non-negotiable.
The regulator said the events of the past weekend needed to be examined using available data to determine whether any safety concerns warranted a review.
The SACAA said South Africa had maintained a zero fatal-accident record in commercial airline operations for more than four decades, adding that it intended to uphold that record.
It also said South Africa was ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
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