Airlink withdraws application for third stadium flyover in South Africa
South African airline Airlink has withdrawn its application for approval of a third stadium flyover planned for the coming weekend. The South African Civil Aviation Authority said this in a statement dated September 2, 2026.
Flyover above a stadium in Cape Town
On August 29, 2026, Airlink conducted a low flyover by two aircraft flying in formation over DHL Stadium in Cape Town before a rugby Test match between South Africa and New Zealand. The lead aircraft was an Embraer E195 with registration ZS-YDE in black livery, while the second aircraft in the formation was an Embraer E190 registered ZS-YAE.
As Daily Maverick reports, Airlink said that the flight was legal and “strictly regulated.” The regulator also noted that the operation was not unauthorized: it was formally approved under Part 91.06.32 provisions concerning special aviation events.
Review of flight parameters
The flyover above DHL Stadium was the second of three planned flyovers for which Airlink had submitted applications. At the same time, the Civil Aviation Authority launched a review into whether the pilots complied with the precise parameters of the approved flight plan.
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The regulator is to analyze flight data recorder information. If the analysis shows that the aircraft descended below the limits set by the approved route, this would constitute a violation of the permit issued.
Aviation expert Guy Leitch criticized the flyover altitude. In his assessment, the aircraft was approximately 40–50 feet above the stadium roof, whereas the safe minimum altitude above such a structure should have been about 400–500 feet above ground level. The report notes that the aircraft’s wingspan is 29 meters and that its flight speed was about 150 knots.
According to the regulator, the operator reported the withdrawal of the application for the third flyover on September 1, 2026.
