Iron Maiden jet into SA ahead of local tour

21 years after Iron Maiden last rocked a South African crowd, the heavy metal band have once again touched down in South Africa. The group jetted into Cape Town International Airport on Sunday ahead of the local leg of their The Book Of Souls World Tour this week.

The band had local fans excited when they took to social media on Sunday morning to announce that they were en route to Cape Town in their famous private plane, nicknamed Ed Force One.

By the time the group had touched down at Cape Town international, they were greeted by a flurry of welcome messages from excited local fans

@IronMaiden Welcome to South Africa! #BookOfSoulsWorldTour@BigConcerts

— Richard Kruse (@Prof_RK) May 15, 2016

To translate... Welcome to the motherland of South Africa @IronMaiden we can't wait to see you in #jhb     can't wait! https://t.co/2WtkZsnBc5

— Jenna Braz CA (SA) (@JennaBraz) May 15, 2016

@IronMaiden now we wait for your landing in Johannesburg! Welcome to South Africa!

— Niel Swart (@NielSwart_ZA) May 15, 2016

Looking relaxed and happy to be in South Africa, the group made their way through the airport arrivals hall stopping to greet a small throng of die-hard fans who had made their way to the airport to welcome them.

The band is set to perform at the Grand Arena in Cape Town on Wednesday May 18 before flying to Johannesburg for their show at the Carnival City Festival Lawns on Saturday May 21.