Airbus is preparing to inspect 16 A380 aircraft after cracks were found in critical wing components, with five planes requiring immediate inspection.
International news agencies reported that Airbus, the major European aircraft manufacturer, issued a statement announcing plans to inspect 16 A380 planes, including five that need immediate checks after cracks were detected in key wing parts of Emirates and Qantas aircraft.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an urgent directive for airlines to inspect the wing-spar structures of affected jets, following findings of cracks during routine maintenance under EASA's new guidelines issued in December 2024.
These cracks appeared in the longitudinal structural beam of the wing, which supports most of the aerodynamic lift during flight.
Among the 16 aircraft to be inspected, 15 belong to Emirates and one to Qantas. The five planes requiring immediate inspection are Emirates aircraft scheduled to undergo maintenance as early as Wednesday.
Airlines operating the A380 include Emirates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA, and Asiana Airlines. However, only Emirates and Qantas are affected by this issue.
"Inspections will begin within the next 48 hours, and all necessary repairs will be completed before the aircraft return to service," Emirates said Wednesday, adding it will work closely with Airbus and relevant authorities "to minimize disruption to flight schedules."
The A380 has previously experienced wing-related issues. In 2012, EASA mandated inspections after cracks were found in brackets connecting the outer wing skin to the internal wing ribs.
That incident affected A380 fleets worldwide, leading to costly maintenance programs. Airbus later resolved the problem by redesigning the affected parts in subsequent production batches.
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Source:cna