Airlink's 15-Metre DHL Stadium Flyover Puts Trump's 'Greatest Ever' Boast to Shame
- Airlink flew two aircraft in formation just 15 metres above the DHL Stadium roof ahead of the Springboks vs All Blacks second test
- President Trump praised a US flyover as the 'greatest ever' ,conducted at roughly 600 metres above a Maryland stadium
- South Africans flooded social media with reactions after a TikTok video placed the two flyovers side by side
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A daring double flyover by Airlink at Cape Town's DHL Stadium has reignited a viral clip of United States President Donald Trump boasting about an American stadium flypast, drawing sharp comparisons between the two aerial stunts.
Airlink manoeuvred ahead of the second test match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at the DHL Stadium. The aircraft flew in formation at approximately 15 metres above the stadium roof, a feat that quickly attracted international attention for how low the planes came.
Trump's 'Greatest Flyover Ever' Claim Resurfaces
A TikTok video, reshared by a South African user, placed Trump's comments directly alongside footage of the Airlink flyover. In the clip, Trump is seen addressing media after watching his official Boeing 747 VC-25 — Air Force One — fly over the Northwest Stadium in Maryland last November, ahead of an NFL match between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions.
That aircraft passed at around 600 metres above the ground. Upon landing at a nearby military base, Trump told reporters,
"Was that the greatest flyover ever? Nobody's ever done a flyover like that." He went on to describe the Air Force One pilots as "the best pilots in the world."
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The TikTok video was set to the track Sister Bethina, widely regarded as South Africa's unofficial rugby anthem, with the two flyovers placed in direct contrast.
South Africans in the comments were quick to weigh in. One user wrote,
"They are lucky it was Airlink; FlySafair was going to land inside the stadiums," while another added,
"Airlink was like 'Hold my beer!'" A third commented,
"Never bet against a South African; we always find a way," and a fourth offered simply, "We can go lower!"
SACAA examines Cape Town operation
The SACAA launched compliance verifications following the Cape Town operation. The regulator said it had engaged Airlink, obtained flight-data recorder downloads and requested additional information. It is analysing the information before reaching an informed position.
Airlink has defended the operation, saying it was carefully planned and conducted with the guidance, approval and support of the SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services.
The SACAA stressed that aviation safety and security compliance remained “paramount” and “non-negotiable”.
The fourth and final test in the series is scheduled for 12 September at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland — the first-ever meeting between South Africa and New Zealand on American soil.
Kevin Fraser weighs in on Airlink fly-past debate
Briefly News also reported that South African comedian Kevin Fraser joined the growing conversation around Airlink’s dramatic fly-past at DHL Stadium.
In a TikTok video, Fraser questioned why the spectacle had attracted such intense international attention. He asked whether it would have received the same coverage if the Springboks had been playing Zimbabwe rather than New Zealand.
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Source: Briefly News
