Why Emirates? South Africans question Dubai airline’s flyover at Ellis Park
Rugby fans are wondering why Emirates, a Dubai-based airline with no connection to the Springboks or All Blacks, flew over Ellis Park on Saturday.
Numerous rugby fans are asking why Emirates, rather than a local carrier such as FlySafair or SAA, conducted the flyover at Ellis Park Stadium during Saturday’s test match between the Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks.
The rugby championship saw the home side win 31-27 against their rivals.
The clubs played almost 30 years ago at the stadium where the Boks beat the All Blacks at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Next weekend, the countries will play again at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
EMIRATES AIRLINE MAKES EPIC FLYOVER ELLIS PARK
Before kickoff and following the singing of both the SA and New Zealand national anthems, Ellis Park spectators witnessed an epic flyover of the stadium.
The Emirates A380 Airbus, the largest passenger plane in operation, performed the stunt.
According to Aviation24, low-level flyover, occurring at less than 200 metres above the ground, celebrated three key events: the return of Emirates’ second daily A380 service on the Dubai-Johannesburg route, the airline’s inaugural A380 flypast in Africa, and its first such display in South Africa.
But many have questioned why a Dubai airline, not a local one like FlySafair or SAA, performed the display on behalf of the Springboks for the historical match.
The simple answer is that Emirates is the official sponsor of Ellis Park, which has since been renamed Emirates Airline Park. The airline first signed a title-naming deal in 2014, which was renewed in 2019.
Emirates has a close collaboration with SA rugby, with sponsorship of the Emirates Lions.
BAD TIMING?
Meanwhile, South Africans and New Zealanders have criticised Emirates for their “bad timing” in flying over Ellis Park.
The rugby tradition interrupted the All Blacks, who were performing their Haka. With the flyover, fireworks were set off, and the stadium erupted with SA’s “second anthem” of Mgarimbe’s Sister Bethina.
Rugby fans around the world claimed the timing was “disrespectful” to the visiting side.