The South African Rugby Union (SARU) have confirmed there will be another flyover ahead of the third Test against New Zealand this weekend, despite the backlash to the one in Cape Town last Saturday. South Africa take on New Zealand in Soweto's FNB Stadium, with the flyover set to take place before kick-off.
Controversial Cape Town flyover
Two Airlink aircraft made headlines around the world following their dramatic flyover over Cape Town's DHL Stadium ahead of the second Test last weekend. South Africa's series-levelling victory was preceded by two Embraer aircraft, flying in Springbok and All Blacks colours, passing remarkably close to the stadium's roof just before kick-off.
Flyovers are a regular occurrence in South African rugby ahead of Test matches, stretching back over 30 years. However, the one in Cape Town has drawn plenty of criticism for how closely one of the planes got to the stadium. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the lead aircraft cleared the roof by about 41 to 46 feet, or roughly 12.5 to 14 metres. The footage from the flyover has spread on social media, with the airline coming in for plenty of flak online.
Airlink defends its actions
Airlink have defended themselves, saying it was carefully planned and rehearsed. They added that guidance, approval and support had been provided by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services. The airline also said six senior captains operated the two aircraft.
However, that hasn't stopped Airlink from also voluntarily handing the black box data from the two planes to the South African Civil Aviation Authority. A black box is a device fitted to airliners that records an aircraft's altitude, speed and heading, and provides dozens of readings several times a second. While it is typically examined by investigators following a crash, it is set to be reviewed in this instance to judge whether the flypast was carried out in accordance with what was authorised.
Data handed over voluntarily
In a statement issued to IOL, a spokesperson for the airline said: "Airlink, on its own initiative, has volunteered these data sets to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) so it can independently review and verify that the flypast was in accordance with the flight authorisation. While Airlink appreciates the interest and concern, it will refrain from making any further comments while the SACAA reviews the flight data."
The tradition of the flyover stretches back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 flew over the stadium before South Africa faced New Zealand.
