South African Airline Defends Low-Altitude Stadium Flyover

South African airline Airlink has defended a dramatic low-altitude flyover involving two Embraer jets over Cape Town's DHL Stadium before a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand on Saturday. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 estimated that the lead aircraft passed between 12 and 15 meters above the stadium roof. The aircraft were flying in formation at approximately 150 knots, which is about 278 km/h, and were not carrying passengers. Airlink stated that the operation was carefully planned and rehearsed with the approval and support of the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services. The airline noted that each jet was manned by three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot, and safety officer. While the airline maintains that flight data confirms the aircraft remained within safety limits, some aviation experts expressed concern. Chris Martinus, president of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association South Africa, suggested the margin for error was too small, while Australian consultant Keith Tonkin warned that regional jets are not designed for such low-level operations. The event drew mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the precision of the pilots and others labeling the maneuver as reckless. The flyover occurred before a crowd of approximately 50,000 to 56,000 people and featured planes with special paint schemes representing the South African and New Zealand teams.