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Airbus to Inspect 16 A380s After Wing Cracks Found on Emirates and Qantas Planes
Airbus announced on June 23 it will inspect 16 A380 jets after cracks appeared in a wing component on aircraft operated by Emirates and Qantas. Five Emirates planes face immediate checks starting June 24 under an EASA directive. The remaining aircraft must be examined before their thirteenth flight.
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Airbus announced on June 23 that it will inspect 16 A380 aircraft after cracks were discovered in a key wing component on planes operated by Emirates and Qantas. Al-Monitor reported that five of the aircraft, all operated by Emirates, will undergo immediate checks beginning June 24.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency ordered urgent inspections of the wing-spar structure on the affected jets.
Inspectors found the cracks during routine maintenance. The cracks appeared in a structural beam that runs along the wing and carries much of the aerodynamic load during flight.
The cracks were discovered during inspections ordered by EASA in a directive issued in December 2025. Airbus said the cracks could reduce the structural integrity of the wing. The company will discuss with EASA whether repairs are necessary.
The remaining 11 aircraft must be inspected before their thirteenth flight, or 25 cycles. Airbus identified all A380s with the same production history for inspection. Emirates operates the largest A380 fleet in the world, flying over half of all active superjumbos.
Other airlines operating the aircraft include Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA and Asiana Airlines. In 2012, EASA ordered inspections of the entire global A380 fleet after cracks were found in brackets linking the wing skin to internal ribs. Those inspections led to a repair program and design changes on later planes.
