A pre-game stunt involving two passenger jets flying dramatically low over a stadium in Cape Town drew huge cheers from the estimated crowd of 56,000 people, but also sparked a major debate over safety risks. The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by the local airline Airlink, occurred on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand.
Flyby Details
The flight tracking service Flightradar24 estimated that the lead jet passed just 41-46 feet (12-14 metres) above the roof of Cape Town Stadium, with the crowd and the world’s top-ranked rugby teams below. The second jet, which followed closely behind, flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof as part of the show.
Airlink, a sponsor of the South African rugby union team, stated that the flyby was conducted according to safety regulations. The airline emphasized that it was carefully planned and rehearsed, with the aircraft flying at 150 knots (172 mph) during the flyby. Each jet had three senior captains on board, operating in the roles of a commander, co-pilot, and safety officer. Notably, the jets were not carrying any passengers.
““Airlink notes the concerns expressed in various social media and online forums regarding yesterday’s formation flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium,” Airlink said on Sunday. “The flight demanded careful planning and rehearsal, as it required navigating at low altitude, at around 150 knots. The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided valuable guidance, approval, and support to ensure a safe flyby.”