Airbus announced on Tuesday that it would inspect 16 of its A380 superjumbo jets, with five needing immediate checks, after cracks were found in a critical wing component on aircraft operated by Emirates and Qantas airlines. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a directive requiring these urgent inspections of the wing-spar structure, a structural beam crucial for carrying aerodynamic load during flight. The cracks were initially identified during routine maintenance checks and inspections mandated by a December 2025 EASA directive, which warned that these cracks could compromise the structural integrity of the wing.
Of the 16 A380s slated for inspection, 15 belong to Emirates, the largest operator of the aircraft, and one to Qantas. The five aircraft designated for immediate inspection, requiring checks before their next flight, are all operated by Emirates. The remaining 11 aircraft, including the Qantas plane, must undergo inspections within 25 flight cycles, where a cycle constitutes a flight, takeoff, and landing. Airbus, based in Toulouse, will consult with EASA to determine if repairs are necessary after these inspections.
This is not the first time the A380 fleet has faced wing-related issues. In 2012, EASA mandated inspections after cracks were found in brackets connecting the wing skin to internal ribs, leading to a costly repair program and design modifications for subsequent aircraft production. While EASA has not grounded the entire A380 fleet, the current emergency directive focuses on newly identified cracks in the wing mid-spars, a different structural element than previous issues. Operators are required to report inspection results to Airbus within seven days, and any aircraft with detected discrepancies will need repairs before returning to service.
