Airlink’s controversial low-level fly-past over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium before the Springboks clashed with New Zealand on August 29 may have triggered a high-stakes safety review, but commercially, the airline is riding high.
Despite intense online debate and an ongoing audit by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, Airlink reports that public sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive and flight demand stays rock-solid.
While aviation regulators analyse the digital flight data to settle compliance questions, the regional carrier is turning a viral operational risk into a massive brand win.
“The public response and sentiment has been overwhelmingly positive, brand awareness has increased, and demand for flights remains strong,” an Airlink spokesperson said.
However, the airline did not provide figures showing whether bookings or passenger numbers increased following the fly-past, or quantify the reported increase in brand awareness.
SACAA review continues
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is reviewing the operation, with Airlink providing the regulator with digital flight-data recordings from the aircraft.
In a statement published on its website on September 2, Airlink said the data captures parameters including altitude, horizontal and vertical speed, pitch, acceleration and power settings.
The airline said the information would assist SACAA in its assessment of the flight.
Airlink has maintained that the fly-past was carefully planned and safely conducted.
It said the aircraft were operated by crews comprising three senior captains, with more than 75,000 combined flight hours of experience.
According to the airline, the operation also involved extensive planning and rehearsal, as well as coordination with SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services.
Airlink previously said the fly-past was conducted with the necessary authorisation, support and guidance from the relevant aviation authorities.
An Airlink spokesperson said the airline would not provide further comment while SACAA’s assessment is ongoing.
SACAA has not released its findings or indicated that Airlink has breached aviation regulations.
Why was the FNB Stadium fly-past cancelled?
The Cape Town operation was one of three aerial displays Airlink had planned around the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The first took place in Johannesburg on August 22, followed by the DHL Stadium fly-past a week later.
A third was planned for FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on September 5, when the Springboks faced New Zealand in the final Test.
That fly-past was subsequently cancelled after Airlink withdrew its application.
In its September 2 statement, Airlink said the decision was based on an unfavourable weather forecast and concerns about conditions for a safe formation fly-by.
The airline said safety remained its priority and apologised to supporters who had been looking forward to another aerial display.
The cancellation came while the Cape Town fly-past was receiving considerable public attention, but Airlink has not linked the decision to the SACAA review.
The airline’s latest comments suggest that, from a commercial and reputational perspective, it does not believe the Cape Town fly-past has damaged the brand.
Instead, Airlink says the publicity has increased awareness of the airline, while demand for its flights remains strong.
The incident nevertheless highlights the scrutiny that accompanies aviation displays involving large passenger aircraft and major sporting events, particularly when they take place close to large crowds.
For now, the key unanswered question is whether the Cape Town fly-past complied with all applicable aviation requirements and the conditions attached to its approval.
Airlink has provided SACAA with the flight data needed for that assessment, but the regulator has yet to publish its conclusions.
The public, aviation industry and Airlink are now waiting for SACAA’s findings and recommendations, which will provide the definitive assessment of the controversial DHL Stadium fly-past.
zamandosi.cele@nationalmg.co.za