Two passenger jets roared barely 15 metres above a packed rugby stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, thrilling over 50,000 spectators but igniting fierce debate about aviation safety. The dramatic stunt by Airlink preceded the highly anticipated South Africa versus New Zealand match at DHL Stadium, with the aircraft flying in tight formation as smoke flares erupted below.
Was it breathtaking s or reckless endangerment? Videos of the low altitude manoeuvre quickly spread across social media, dividing opinion sharply. Critics labelled the flyby dangerous given the density of people beneath, while supporters praised the precision flying on display.
Airlink hasn’t backed down. The airline insists the stunt was meticulously planned with full approval from aviation authorities. Each aircraft carried three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety officer. According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, the lead plane passed less than 50 feet above the stadium’s roof, a measurement that underscores just how narrow the margin was.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie joined those celebrating the feat, declaring it proof that South Africa boasts “the best pilots in the world.” Still, questions linger about whether national pride should trump safety protocols. The spectacle certainly left its mark, though whether that’s positive remains hotly contested among the 56,000 who witnessed it firsthand.
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