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Two Airlink Embraer E-Jets performed a risky low-level flyover of Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Saturday ahead of a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. The maneuver was broadcast live on television and quickly went viral online, with footage appearing to show the lead jet passing barely above the stadium.
Flight tracking data reveals that one of the aircraft likely came within 50 feet of the stadium roof. Airlink has since released a statement on the flyover, claiming that both jets flew within “approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits.”
Double Flyover Of Cape Town Stadium Draws Criticism
The double flyover took place moments before kick-off in the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, in front of a capacity 55,000 crowd in Cape Town. At the most hair-raising moment, the lead aircraft pitches up as it passes over the final remaining stand, dropping its tail close to the roofline while closely pursued by the second jet. Footage also shows one of the jets passing through pyrotechnics shot from the stadium roof.
The two aircraft involved were an Embraer E190 (registered ZS-YAE) and an Embraer E195 (registered ZS-YDE), both of which were sporting special liveries for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. ZS-YAE bore an all-green scheme to mirror the South African team colors, while ZS-YDE was in black for the famous ‘All Blacks’ of New Zealand. Data shows that ZS-YDE departed Cape Town International Airport (CPT) at around 2:10 PM local time, followed just minutes later by ZS-YAE.
Airlink had teased the appearance on social media beforehand, telling the audience to “get your cameras ready” ahead of kick-off. In response to online criticism, the airline said in a statement that the flight required “careful planning and rehearsal” as it involved “navigating at low altitude, at around 150 knots,” adding that it was conducted with full support and approval from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services. The airline stated,
“The two aircraft were flown by a highly experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. The flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the SACAA’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.”
Less Than 50 Feet Above The Roof
An analysis by Flightradar24 put the lowest recorded ADS-B altitude at 50 feet at standard pressure, which corrects to roughly 205 to 210 feet above mean sea level once adjusted for Cape Town. The DHL Stadium is around 164 feet tall, which leaves approximately 41 to 46 feet (12.5 to 14 meters) between the aircraft and the roof of the stadium.
The same stadium hosted a notable Qatar Airways Boeing 777 flyover last year, when a 777-300 flew over ahead of a Qatar Airways Cup match on June 28, 2025. Unlike Saturday’s double pass, the Qatar Airways flyover drew little in the way of criticism.
Airlink was named the official domestic airline for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in June, before unveiling the green-liveried ZS-YAE in July. This airframe was repainted at Polokwane Gateway International Airport over 29 days, requiring around 60 liters of paint across three coats. The South African carrier operates an all-Embraer fleet of over 70 aircraft and serves more than 45 destinations in southern and eastern Africa.
Commercial Jet Flyovers
Aircraft flyovers are typically performed by military aircraft and display teams, while a maneuver by a commercial jet is a rarer occurrence. In June, an incident in Texas made headlines after a converted Boeing 777 freighter bound for Qatar Airways made a low pass over Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center (DZB), with footage showing its wingtip coming within inches of the ground.
In April, an Icelandair Boeing 757-200 (with passengers onboard) conducted a low pass over an Icelandic village at around 328 feet on the operating captain’s final flight before retirement. Although retirement flyovers are something of a tradition, Iceland’s Transport Authority found both pilots negligent, and the captain was later reported to the police.
