The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is investigating an Airlink flypast conducted at Cape Town Stadium ahead of the Springboks’ clash with the All Blacks on 29 August.
The airline had submitted applications for three flypasts linked to rugby fixtures. The first, held in Johannesburg on 22 August, and the Cape Town flypast were approved in terms of regulations governing special air events.
SACAA said the Cape Town operation included simulator practice and a safety briefing as part of the required safety measures.
Despite the approvals, the aviation regulator has launched compliance checks and obtained flight data recordings from the operation. Further information has also been requested from Airlink as part of the investigation.
The airline subsequently withdrew its application for a third flypast planned for the following weekend on 1 September.
SACAA said aviation safety and security remain non-negotiable and that the investigation will determine whether all regulatory requirements were fully complied with.
The authority said South Africa has maintained a zero-fatality record in commercial airline operations for more than four decades and is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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