South African airline defends dramatic low-level flyby before rugby union clash
Airlink is defending a low-level flyby performed by two passenger jets over a Cape Town stadium before a rugby match. While the stunt thrilled the crowd, it has sparked significant debate regarding aviation safety regulations.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the tension between public entertainment spectacles and strict aviation safety protocols in densely populated areas.
An aircraft performs a low flyby before the match between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town. An aircraft performs a low flyby before the match between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town. Rugby union South African airline defends dramatic low-level flyby before rugby union clash Cape Town stunt sparks major debate over safety risks
Airlink insist flyby conducted according to regulations
Prefer the Guardian on Google A pre-game stunt involving two passenger jets flying dramatically low over a stadium in South Africa drew huge cheers from the estimated crowd of around 56,000 people, but also sparked a major debate over safety risks.
The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by local airline Airlink, happened on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town.
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