Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended Airlink's flyover the DHL Stadium, where the Springboks beat the All Blacks, against critics...
Gayton McKenzie has responded to criticism of the Airlink flyover in Cape Town, where the Springboks played the All Blacks. The impressive aircraft stunt made international headlines, with many chastising the pilots for their “dangerous” actions.
The airline has set the record straight that the flight was “carefully planned and rehearsed”
As they did last week at Ellis Park, Airlink performed two daring flyovers at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, where the Springboks beat the All Blacks 33-26.
The impressive stunt involved two Embraer E190 jets: a green-liveried one representing the Springboks and a black-liveried one representing the All Blacks.
Pilots of both aircraft circled Robben Island before heading out to the stadium, where fireworks went off as the planes flew over the pitch.
The flyover quickly made international headlines, with global media outlets calling the flight “dangerous” and “nearly catastrophic”.
Responding to the backlash, Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie posted on social media: “It’s a well-known fact that we have the best pilots in the world. That was spectacular. Next time, I will ask the pilots to land on the field. Prepare to be amazed further”
In a statement, Airlink set the record straight on claims that their flyover of the DHL Stadium was “dangerously low”.
The airline stated that the flight “demanded careful planning and rehearsal, as it required navigating at low altitude, at around 150 knots”.
It shared: “The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided valuable guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby. The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crews, each comprising three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. The flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the SACAA’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast”.
On social media, South Africans have also defended Airlink’s flyover against criticism.
Under one post, which claimed that “onlookers were horrified”, Saffas responded….
@UlrichJvV: “We get it, you must be suffering from serious fomo. No one except you were ‘horrified’ that South Africa could pull off something this awesome”
@ImFrankmiles: “Onlookers were experiencing a spectacle. Social media people in America were horrified. This was iconic. Classic RSA, no DNA”.
***@SayEntrepreneur: *“We are used to this exceptional skill as South Africans”.
@Bronx_wrangler: “No. We loved it. We were not horrified. It was brilliant. Don’t stress, lefties. This is South Africa. We don’t scare as easily as you do”.
No need to be dramatic.
South African onlookers witnessing the flyover. pic.twitter.com/7WXiF8et7F— South African AF (@garlzee)
August 30, 2026
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