Airlink has withdrawn its application for a third fly-past planned for this weekend, as the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) continues its review of the airline’s previous fly-past operation.
The airline notified the regulator on Tuesday that it was withdrawing its application for approval of the planned fly-past, which was scheduled to coincide with Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks rugby match.
The decision comes as the SACAA conducts compliance verifications following Airlink’s fly-past on August 29, which took place ahead of an international rugby fixture.
The regulator said it had engaged with Airlink, obtained downloads from the aircraft’s flight data recorder and requested additional information as part of its assessment.
The SACAA is analysing the information and said it had asked Airlink to provide further details before reaching an informed position on the matter.
Once the assessment is complete, the regulator said it would provide Airlink with a full report, including any recommendations arising from the review.
Airlink had submitted three applications for fly-pasts linked to the rugby matches. The August 29 operation was the second of those applications, while the first fly-past took place in Johannesburg on August 22 after receiving SACAA approval.
The regulator said all applications were submitted under regulations governing non-passenger and non-cargo-carrying flights in terms of Part 91.06.32.
For the August 29 operation, Airlink submitted the required application and supporting documentation. A simulator practice flight and safety briefing were also completed as required by the regulations.
The SACAA subsequently approved the fly-past in accordance with requirements governing Special Air Events.
However, the regulator launched its compliance review following media discussions surrounding the August 29 operation.
The SACAA said the review was necessary to determine, using available flight and operational data, whether any safety concerns warranted further action.
It stressed that aviation safety and security compliance remained paramount and non-negotiable.
The regulator also pointed to South Africa’s strong aviation safety record, noting that the country has maintained a zero fatal-accident record in commercial airline operations for more than four decades.
According to the SACAA, South Africa is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The withdrawal of Airlink’s third application means the planned fly-past will not proceed while the regulator continues its assessment of the previous operation.
The SACAA has yet to indicate whether its review will result in any further regulatory action, with its final position expected after all outstanding information has been assessed.