Airlink flyover for Springboks-All Blacks Test at FNB stadium CANCELLED

Airlink has withdrawn its application for a third fly-past this weekend at FNB Stadium as the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) continues its investigation into the airline’s controversial flight over the Cape Town Stadium.

The planned fly-past was scheduled to take place this weekend ahead of the highly anticipated Springboks-All Blacks clash in Johannesburg, but Airlink has now pulled the application while the regulator completes its compliance review.

READ | Springbok team to face All Blacks at FNB Stadium attended these SCHOOLS

The SACAA said Airlink notified it on Wednesday, 2 September, that it was withdrawing its application for approval of the proposed third fly-past.

The decision follows the regulator’s investigation into the airline’s 29 August fly-past, which took place shortly before the Springboks faced the All Blacks in Cape Town.

SACAA digs deeper into Airlink fly-past

The SACAA launched compliance verifications after questions were raised about the circumstances surrounding the 29 August operation.

The regulator has since engaged with Airlink, obtained downloads from the aircraft’s flight data recorder and requested additional information from the airline.

That information is now being analysed.

The SACAA said it had requested further details from Airlink before it could reach an informed position on the matter.

Once the assessment has been completed, the regulator said a full report, together with recommendations, will be shared with Airlink.

The investigation means the spectacular low-level fly-past seen over DHL Stadium on 29 August remains under scrutiny, despite the operation having received prior regulatory approval.

Airlink had three fly-pasts planned

Airlink had submitted three separate applications linked to the Tests in Mzansi.

The first fly-past took place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 22 August after receiving SACAA approval.

The 29 August operation in Cape Town was the second of the three applications.

Airlink’s third planned fly-past would have taken place this weekend, but that application has now been withdrawn.

The SACAA said the applications were submitted in accordance with regulations governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights under Part 91.06.32.

For the 29 August operation, Airlink submitted the required application and supporting documentation. A simulator practice flight and safety briefing were also completed as required.

The SACAA subsequently approved the fly-past in line with the requirements for Special Air Events.

‘Safety is non-negotiable’

The regulator said its compliance checks followed media discussions about the events surrounding the 29 August fly-past.

The SACAA stressed that aviation safety and security compliance remained “paramount and non-negotiable.”

It said the events of the past weekend needed to be properly examined using the available flight data to establish whether any safety concerns warranted further review.

The authority also highlighted South Africa’s strong aviation safety record.

According to the SACAA, South Africa has maintained a zero fatal-accident record in commercial airline operations for more than four decades.

The regulator said it remained committed to protecting that record.

It added that South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

For now, however, there will be no third Airlink fly-past this weekend.

The airline has withdrawn its application, while the SACAA continues to examine exactly what happened during the much-discussed Cape Town Stadium operation.