Airlink, a South African airline, has defended a low-altitude aerial stunt performed over a packed stadium, asserting that the maneuver involved careful and precise planning.
In social media posts accompanied by footage of the event, the airline highlighted its commitment to "Planning. Precision. Performance." A statement on a government news site detailed that the two aircraft were operated by highly experienced crews, with each plane crewed by a commander, co-pilot, and safety/technical officer. Airlink specified that the flights were conducted within "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast."
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated that the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 meters) above the top of the stadium. Despite questions raised about the inherent risks of such a maneuver over a crowded venue, many South Africans have expressed national pride in the pilots' capability.
Low-altitude flybys have become a recurring feature in the build-up to significant sporting events in South Africa. A notable instance occurred before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, where a South African Airways jet flew over a Johannesburg stadium prior to the match that saw South Africa defeat New Zealand. This match gained considerable symbolic importance, particularly after then-President Nelson Mandela wore the national team's jersey, a symbol previously associated with the apartheid government and its exclusionary policies.