JOHANNESBURG - Airlink said the decision to withdraw its application to conduct a flyby over FNB Stadium this Saturday is due to an unfavourable weather forecast.
According to the airline, the conditions will not be suited for a safe formation flyby.
It comes as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned of a major change in weather conditions from Thursday, with a cut-off low expected to move across parts of South Africa.
The weather, according to SAWS, could bring heavy and disruptive rainfall, damaging winds, rough seas and a significant drop in temperatures.
Airlink was meant to conduct its third and final flyby over the FNB Stadium this coming Saturday ahead of the much-anticipated Springboks vs All Blacks clash, but it has since withdrawn its application.
"As a sponsor, it was not Airlink’s intention to detract from the rugby test matches between South Africa and New Zealand. We’re sorry to disappoint fans and supporters, but safety comes first, and we’re also certain the players will provide more than enough on-field excitement," the statement read.
In the meantime, the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed it is looking into the flybly over the DHL Cape Town Stadium on 29 August 2026 during the international rugby fixture between the Springboks and the All Blacks following questions of safety.
READ | Airlink pulls FNB Stadium flypast application ahead of Boks, All Blacks showdown
The aviation authority said it intends to interrogate the event with a clear mind and data at its disposal to determine whether there were any safety concerns that warrant a review.
However, Airlink maintains that safety was always their first consideration during the flyby over the DHL Cape Town Stadium on 29 August 2026.
According to the airline, the flyby was carefully planned, rehearsed and authorised by Air Traffic Navigation Services and that never intended to become the “news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
"Be assured that safety was the first consideration at every stage of the process...The flyby was performed safely, and due to the unprecedented public interest it created, Airlink, on its own initiative, volunteered to provide the “black box” digital flight data recordings to the SACAA to support its compliance review," the airline said in a statement.
Furthermore, it explained that both aircraft were flown by crews comprising three senior captains representing over 75,000 combined flight hours of experience operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety and technical officer.
"Each pilot holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the highest level of commercial pilot qualification," Airlink added.
Airlink has volunteered to provide the flight data to the Civil Aviation Authority and will support the probe into the weekend events.