Two passenger jets perform a low-level flyby over Cape Town Stadium in South Africa before a rugby union Test against New Zealand, drawing cheers from a large crowd but also prompting public debate about aviation safety. Multiple outlets report that the stunt involved two Embraer jets operated by Airlink during the pre-match period on Saturday.
Flight tracking estimates cited by some outlets indicate the lead aircraft passes very close to the stadium roof, with one report stating it flew about 12 to 14 metres above the roof. Others describe the action more generally as dramatically low. The Guardian notes Airlink’s defence, saying the flyby follows applicable regulations, while critics focus on the risks posed by low altitude over a packed venue.
The reporting varies mainly in the level of technical detail. Some outlets emphasise the crowd reaction and the broader safety concerns, while others include figures from Flightradar24 to illustrate how low the jets flew. All accounts tie the incident to the ceremonial nature of the flyby and the subsequent scrutiny of whether such stunts should be allowed near spectators.
