Qantas and Emirates to ground multiple Airbus A380 planes for urgent inspections after cracks found in wings

Airbus will inspect 16 A380 planes, five of them immediately, after cracks were found in a key wing component on aircraft used by the Emirates. Qantas airlines.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ordered urgent inspections requiring airlines to examine the wing-spar structure on the affected jets after inspectors found cracks during routine maintenance checks.

The cracks appeared in a structural beam that runs along the wing. carries much of the aerodynamic load during flight.

Of the 16 planes to be inspected, 15 are operated by Emirates and one by Qantas. The five aircraft to be inspected immediately are flown by Emirates,. they were to undergo the process as soon as Wednesday.

Airlines using the A380 include Emirates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA. Asiana Airlines.

Emirates operates the largest A380 fleet in the world, flying over half of all active superjumbos.

Cracks on an aircraft that “could reduce the structural integrity of the wing” were discovered during inspections ordered by EASA in a directive issued in December 2025. the European planemaker said.

All A380s “with the same production history” have been identified, and Airbus will carry out immediate inspections on five aircraft.

The Toulouse-based plane manufacturer will discuss with EASA whether repairs are necessary, an Airbus spokesperson said.

The 11 other aircraft can be inspected later, but before their thirteenth flight, that is, 25 cycles, with one cycle consisting of a flight, a takeoff,. a landing.

The A380 has faced wing-related problems before. the EASA in 2012 ordered inspections after cracks were found in brackets linking the wing skin to internal ribs.

That affected the entire global A380 fleet. led to a costly repair programme which Airbus addressed through design changes on planes produced later.

A Qantas spokesperson said there was no impact to Qantas flights as a result of the airworthiness directive.

“We have one A380, which requires additional inspections,” they said in a statement. “The aircraft was already in scheduled maintenance. we will comply with any additional requirements as a result of this airworthiness directive.”