TOULOUSE — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency ordered urgent inspections of Airbus A380 wing-spar structures. This directive followed the discovery of cracks during routine maintenance checks.

The urgent inspection order applies to 16 Airbus A380 planes. Fifteen of these aircraft are operated by Emirates, while one is operated by Qantas.

An Airbus spokesperson stated the company would conduct immediate inspections on five aircraft operated by Emirates. These five aircraft were scheduled for inspection as soon as Wednesday. The remaining 11 affected aircraft must undergo inspection before their thirteenth flight or 25 cycles, with one cycle defined as a flight, a takeoff, and a landing.

The identified cracks were located in a structural beam running along the wing, which supports a large portion of the aerodynamic load during flight. An Airbus statement indicated that cracks were found on an aircraft that "could reduce the structural integrity of the wing" during inspections ordered by EASA in a directive issued in December 2025. The plane manufacturer also said that all A380s "with the same production history" have been identified for inspection and that Airbus would discuss with EASA whether repairs are necessary.

Emirates operates the largest A380 fleet globally, accounting for over half of all active superjumbos. EASA previously ordered inspections in 2012 after cracks were found in brackets connecting the wing skin to the internal ribs of the A380. That 2012 order affected the entire global A380 fleet and resulted in a repair program implemented by Airbus through design changes on subsequent production planes, as noted in a podcast interview.