The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is investigating Airlink’s flypast at DHL Stadium in Cape Town after the airline operated the flight ahead of the Springboks-All Blacks match on 29 August.
The aviation regulator said it launched compliance checks following the flypast and has obtained flight data recordings and additional information from Airlink as part of its assessment.
According to the SACAA, Airlink submitted three applications for flypasts linked to rugby matches. The Cape Town operation was the second of the three, following an approved flypast in Johannesburg on 22 August.
The regulator said Airlink submitted supporting documentation for the Cape Town flight and completed the required preparations, including a simulator practice flight and safety briefing. The operation was subsequently approved by the SACAA under the requirements for Special Air Events.
The SACAA said it began its compliance verification process after discussions in the media about the weekend’s events. The regulator has since started analysing the flight data and requested further information from Airlink before reaching a final position.
A full report, including recommendations, will be shared with the airline once the assessment has been completed.
Meanwhile, Airlink notified the SACAA on Wednesday, 1 September, that it was withdrawing its application for approval for a third flypast planned for this weekend.
The SACAA said aviation safety and security compliance remain its priority, adding that the investigation is intended to establish whether any safety concerns arising from the recent flypast require further review.
The regulator also noted that South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The aviation regulator said it launched compliance checks following the flypast and has obtained flight data recordings and additional information from Airlink as part of its assessment.
According to the SACAA, Airlink submitted three applications for flypasts linked to rugby matches. The Cape Town operation was the second of the three, following an approved flypast in Johannesburg on 22 August.
The regulator said Airlink submitted supporting documentation for the Cape Town flight and completed the required preparations, including a simulator practice flight and safety briefing. The operation was subsequently approved by the SACAA under the requirements for Special Air Events.
The SACAA said it began its compliance verification process after discussions in the media about the weekend’s events. The regulator has since started analysing the flight data and requested further information from Airlink before reaching a final position.
A full report, including recommendations, will be shared with the airline once the assessment has been completed.
Meanwhile, Airlink notified the SACAA on Wednesday, 1 September, that it was withdrawing its application for approval for a third flypast planned for this weekend.
The SACAA said aviation safety and security compliance remain its priority, adding that the investigation is intended to establish whether any safety concerns arising from the recent flypast require further review.
The regulator also noted that South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
