AIRBUS TO INSPECT 16 A380 PLANES FOR WING CRACKS

Airbus will inspect 16 A380 aircraft after cracks were discovered in a structural wing beam during routine maintenance checks. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ordered urgent inspections of the wing-spar structure on the affected jets. Five aircraft operated by Emirates are to be inspected immediately, with the process to begin as soon as Wednesday. Of the 16 planes requiring inspection, 15 are flown by Emirates and one by Qantas. The cracks appeared in a structural beam that runs along the wing and carries much of the aerodynamic load during flight.

The cracks were identified in aircraft with the same production history, according to EASA. The remaining 11 aircraft must be inspected before their thirteenth flight cycle, defined as one takeoff, flight, and landing. Airbus, headquartered in Toulouse, will discuss with EASA whether repairs are necessary, according to a company spokesperson. Emirates operates the largest A380 fleet globally, flying over half of all active superjumbos. Other airlines operating the A380 include Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA and Asiana Airlines.

This follows a previous wing-related issue in 2012, when EASA ordered inspections across the entire global A380 fleet after cracks were found in brackets linking the wing skin to internal ribs. That inspection programme led to design changes on subsequently produced aircraft. Airbus is currently managing supply chain problems and rising operational costs across its business, according to reports.