Urgent Inspections on A380 Aircraft Ordered by EU Regulator

Airbus is aiding inspections of specific A380 jets after the European Union's aviation regulator mandated checks on wing structures for 16 aircraft. Cracks have been detected that might compromise the integrity of the wings. Emirates and Qantas are the operators of the affected aircraft.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ordered immediate inspections for a number of Airbus A380 aircraft, citing potential cracks in wing structures. Airbus has declared support for these inspections, which follow EASA's emergency airworthiness directive.

The directive applies to 16 A380s, with five needing assessments before their next flights and the rest within 25 flight cycles. Most of the affected planes belong to Emirates, with one operated by Qantas, according to data from Flightradar24.

Airbus has identified a smaller group of similar aircraft for cooperative inspection efforts. Whether repairs are necessary or the aircraft can resume service will depend on inspection outcomes, Airbus stated. The A380, known as the 'superjumbo', had its production ceased in 2021 due to reduced demand.