Sixteen Airbus A380s to Undergo Inspection After Cracks Found on Airplane Wings — 3rd Update
By Kimberley Kao
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has ordered urgent inspections of 16 Airbus A380 planes operated by Emirates and Qantas, after cracks were found in a wing component on some aircraft.
Cracks were found during earlier inspections of the wing spars structure, a key component of the wing, EASA said in a directive effective Wednesday. EASA determined that they "could reduce the structural integrity of the wing."
"To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus determined that an additional special detailed inspection has to be accomplished," EASA said.
The first group of five aircraft, operated by Emirates, need to be inspected immediately, while the second group of 11 aircraft can be inspected later but within 25 flight cycles, EASA said in a separate statement. From the second group, 10 are operated by Emirates and one by Qantas, the aviation safety agency said.
Airbus said it is supporting the inspection, and that it will assess the results of the inspections with EASA to determine whether repairs are needed or whether the aircraft can return to commercial service.
A spokesperson for Australian carrier Qantas confirmed that one of its A380s required additional inspections, and added that there would be no impact to flights arising from the EASA directive.
"The aircraft was already in scheduled maintenance and we will comply with any additional requirements as a result of this airworthiness directive," the Qantas spokesperson added.
Dubai-based Emirates, the world's largest operator of A380 aircraft, said aircraft inspections will commence within the next 48 hours.
"Any work required will be carried out before releasing aircraft to service. We remain in close contact with Airbus and the relevant authorities to minimize any disruption to the operating schedule," the airline's spokesperson said.
The A380 has faced wing-related issues before. In 2012, EASA ordered inspections after cracks were found in the wings.
Write to Kimberley Kao at kimberley.kao@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 24, 2026 05:26 ET (09:26 GMT)
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