Airlink cancels FNB Stadium fly-by, cites safety as SACAA probes Cape Town formation flight

Airlink has withdrawn its application for a planned fly-by at FNB Stadium, saying weather forecasts made conditions unsuitable for a safe formation flight as the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) continues its review of a recent Cape Town operation.

Why the FNB fly-by was pulled

Airlink confirmed it had withdrawn its application for the FNB Stadium flyby after weather forecasts indicated conditions the airline considered unsuitable for a formation flight. The SACAA said the withdrawal was communicated to it on September 1.

Safety and the SACAA investigation

The airline said safety had been its “first consideration” during the planning and execution of its Cape Town formation flight on August 29. Airlink voluntarily handed over the aircraft’s digital flight data recordings to the SACAA to assist with the regulator’s compliance review, broadcaster eNCA reported.

The SACAA confirmed it was analysing flight data and other information from the August 29 flyby over DHL Stadium ahead of the Springboks–All Blacks Test and said it had requested additional information from Airlink. The regulator said it would issue a full report and recommendations once its assessment was complete.

Airlink responds to public reaction

Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht acknowledged public interest in the Cape Town flyby and said the airline was grateful for the reaction. He was quoted saying:

“We never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.”

On the decision to cancel the FNB Stadium fly-by, Engelbrecht said:

“Safety comes first,”

and he apologised to fans who had been hoping for another aerial spectacle, according to the report.

Flight data and next steps

Airlink said the aircraft’s digital flight data recorders capture more than 1,000 parameters, producing a detailed record of the flights, and noted that the volume and complexity of the data meant the SACAA’s assessment could not be expected to produce immediate conclusions. The airline said it would continue to support the regulator’s investigation.

Airlink had submitted three flyby applications linked to the rugby matches, with operations on August 22 in Johannesburg and on August 29 in Cape Town. The SACAA said the Cape Town operation had been approved after required processes, including a simulator practice flight and safety briefing, had been completed; the regulator is now examining that operation following public and media discussion.