Airlink defends low-altitude jet flyover of Cape Town rugby stadium

A South African airline has defended a low-level flying stunt over a packed-out rugby stadium in Cape Town on the weekend.

Two Airlink-operated jets soared just above city's DHL Stadium ahead of a test match between South Africa and New Zealand, prompting cheers from the reported crowd of more than 50,000 below.

According to flight-tracking firm Flightradar24, the lead aircraft flew roughly just 41 to 46 feet above the roof of the stadium.

Dramatic footage of the flyover quickly began circulating on social media, prompting mixed reactions as some expressed concerns over safety.

In a statement on Sunday, Airlink defended the manoeuvre.

“Airlink notes the concerns expressed in various social media and online forums regarding yesterday’s formation flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium,” the carrier said.

“The flight demanded careful planning and rehearsal, as it required navigating at low altitude at around 150 knots. The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided valuable guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby,” it added.

The airline also shared footage and images of the move in a post on X, writing: "Planning. Precision. Performance."

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's Minister for Sports, Arts and Culture, hailed the stunt as "spectacular."

"It’s a well known fact that we have the best pilots in the world, that was spectacular, next time I will ask the pilots to land on the field, prepare to be amazed further," he said.

For Scottish pilot Scott Bateman, however, the stunt left him "aghast."

"The lead aircraft reportedly cleared the stadium roof by around 40–50 feet," he wrote in a post on social media. "Hundreds of professional aviators around the world have looked at those images and expressed concern. That deserves more than 'nothing to see here'".

He added that aviation did not "become one of the safest forms of transport by defending everything that worked."

"It became safe by relentlessly examining the things that nearly didn’t".