Multiple Airbus A380 planes to be grounded for urgent inspections after cracks found in wings

<p>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 and Qantas airlines.</p>

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>Of the 16 planes to be inspected, 15 are operated by Emirates and one by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/qantas" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Qantas</a>. The five aircraft to be inspected immediately are flown by Emirates, and they were to undergo the process as soon as Wednesday.</p>

<p>Airlines using the A380 include Emirates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA and Asiana Airlines.</p>

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

<p>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.</p>

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