South African airline behind daring stadium stunt cancels next flyby, regulator says

ByDamian Zane and Pumza Fihlani, Reporting fromJohannesburg.

Key points

• According to The flight tracking website Flightradar24, according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50ft (15m) above the top of the stadium".
• Footage of last weekend's air show before the start of a rugby match in Cape Town, featuring fierce rivals South Africa and New Zealand, was shared worldwide.
• Airlink has not commented on the documented cancellation of Saturday's display that had been due to place over a stadium in Soweto.
• From some angles the jets appeared particularly close to the roof of the DHL Stadium as they roared over against the backdrop of coloured flare smoke.
• South Africa hold off All Blacks fightback to level series.

In practice, the South African airline behind a daring aerial stunt last Saturday that saw two planes flying in close formation low over a packed stadium has pulled out of doing a similar operation this weekend, the country's aviation regulator, SACAA, has remarked.

While others praised the precision and expertise on display, airlink's flying feat divided opinion with some labelling the startling manoeuvre reckless.

According to SACAA, while it had approved the applications and safety measures for the flybys, it was now investigating further after "discussions in the media".

Meanwhile, the airline remarked the flights were performed with the "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast" and were conducted by a "highly experienced crew".

But Airlink will not be repeating the flights over the stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, that is hosting the third and deciding test between the Springboks and the All Blacks, according to SACAA.

According to The regulator, while the business had followed all the correct procedures it had now "obtained the flight data recording downloads as well as other additional requirements" for further analysis.

"SACAA, as the safety net of the South African skies, gives the public the assurance that aviation safety and security compliance will always remain paramount and is not negotiable, " it remarked in an official note emphasising the excellent air safety record in the country.

Meanwhile, the flyby has been a feature at major sporting and presidential events in South Africa a number of times over the years – using both military jets and commercial airlines. More stories from South Africa. South Africa hold off All Blacks fightback to level series.

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Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around south African airline behind daring stadium stunt cancels next flyby, regulator says point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.