Airlink cancels Johannesburg flypast as regulator probes Cape Town low-fly spectacle
The airline behind the dramatic formation flyover that thrilled fans before South Africa's rugby Test against New Zealand in Cape Town last week has scrapped plans to repeat the display at Saturday's decider in Johannesburg, citing poor weather forecasts.
South African airline Airlink confirmed on Wednesday that it had withdrawn its application for a formation flyby ahead of the Rugby Championship clash at FNB Stadium — the vast Soweto venue also known as Soccer City. Airlink chief executive De Villiers Engelbrecht said the forecast weather pointed to unfavourable conditions for a safe formation flyby at the stadium. The Guardian
The cancellation comes as South Africa's civil aviation authority scrutinises the flypast that grabbed headlines during the first leg of the four-Test series between the Springboks and the All Blacks, a rivalry billed as rugby's greatest. Two Airlink Embraer aircraft flew in formation over the packed DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, just before the second Test kicked off. The series stands level at 1-1 heading into Saturday's Johannesburg encounter.
Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 recorded the lead aircraft passing less than 50 feet — about 15 metres — above the top of the stadium. That figure has drawn the attention of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), which confirmed that Airlink's application for the FNB Stadium flyby had been withdrawn. Stuff
SACAA executive Phindiwe Gwebu said the compliance verification was designed to satisfy the authority that all safety protocols were adhered to by the crew. The regulator is analysing flight data recorder downloads provided by the airline and has requested additional information before reaching a conclusion.
Airlink has defended the Cape Town display. The airline said it voluntarily provided the data and maintained the flyby was performed safely by a crew of three senior captains with a combined 75,000 hours of flying experience. The Guardian
For rugby fans, the flypast had become an unexpected subplot in a series that needs little extra theatre. South Africa and New Zealand, the two dominant forces in world rugby, are contesting four Tests across the southern hemisphere winter, with each match carrying weight for Rugby Championship standings and broader bragging rights. The Springboks took the opener; the All Blacks hit back in Cape Town. Saturday in Soweto is the pivot.
What the weather ultimately delivers on match day remains a question only the sky can answer. But with the flypast off the table, the spectacle inside FNB Stadium will rest entirely on the 46 players and the 80 minutes of rugby in front of them — and for a rivalry of this calibre, that is usually more than enough.
