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South African airline behind daring stadium stunt cancels next flyby

Damian Zaneand
Pumza Fihlani,Johannesburg
Watch: Moment two planes fly less than 50 feet above stadium

The South African airline behind a stunt which saw two planes flying in close formation low over a packed stadium, has cancelled a similar operation this weekend.

Airlink confirmed it had withdrawn its application for the display set to take place before South Africa's rugby match with New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday, citing a poor weather forecast.

The airline's flying feat divided opinion, with some labelling the startling manoeuvre reckless while others praised the precision and expertise.

It comes as the the country's aviation regulator said that while it had approved the application for the flyby, it was now reviewing the operation following "discussions in the media".

Footage of last weekend's air show before the start of the match in Cape Town was shared around the world.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 said that according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50ft (15m) above the top of the stadium".

From some angles the jets appeared very close to the roof of the DHL Stadium as they roared over amid coloured flare smoke.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said on Wednesday it would review the incident.

"Following various discussions in the media relating to the events of the past weekend, the SACAA initiated compliance verifications, engaged the operator, obtained the Flight Data Recording downloads as well as other additional requirements," it said in a statement.

It also revealed a flight simulator to practice for the Saturday flight was used as part of the approvals process.

Gallo Images/Getty Images A fish-eye view from the stands of a rugby stadium looking up at the sky as two planes fly in close formation above.Gallo Images/Getty Images
The planes - one green, one black - flew over the stadium shortly before the start of the South Africa-New Zealand match

In a separate statement on Wednesday, the airline confirmed the display planned for the upcoming weekend would not go ahead.

"Although we have also heard the widespread enthusiasm for a flyby at FNB Stadium this weekend, the forecast weather points to unfavourable conditions for a safe formation flyby," CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht said.

He said last weekend's flights were performed with "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast" and were conducted by a "highly experienced crew".

Airlink said that it had volunteered to provide the aircraft's digital flight data recordings following "unprecedented public interest" in the flyby.

The airline said it was "grateful for the enthusiastic appreciation" people had expressed in response, but also noted "the valid questions and concerns raised".

"We never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby's Greatest Rivalry," Engelbrecht added.

The flyby has been a feature at major sporting and presidential events in South Africa several times over the years - using both military jets and commercial airlines.

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