EASA orders urgent inspections for 16 A380s over wing cracks

Dhaka: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an urgent directive requiring airlines to inspect the wing-spar structure on 16 Airbus A380 aircraft.

The mandate follows the discovery of cracks in a structural beam that runs along the wing, which carries much of the aerodynamic load during flight.

Of the affected jets, 15 are operated by Emirates and one by Qantas. Five aircraft flown by Emirates must undergo the process as soon as June 24.

Airbus confirmed the cracks could reduce the structural integrity of the wing, noting they were discovered during inspections ordered in December 2025.

The European plane manufacturer identified all A380s with the same production history and will discuss repairs with EASA. While five aircraft face immediate checks, the remaining 11 can be inspected later, specifically before their thirteenth flight. This represents 25 cycles, with one cycle consisting of a flight, a takeoff, and a landing.

Emirates currently operates the largest A380 fleet in the world, flying over half of all active superjumbos. Other global airlines utilizing the double-decker aircraft include Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA, and Asiana Airlines.

The A380 program has faced wing-related problems previously. In 2012, EASA ordered fleet-wide inspections after cracks were found in brackets linking the wing skin to internal ribs. That issue led to a costly repair program, which Airbus later addressed through design changes on newer aircraft.