The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered the inspection of 16 Airbus A380s, including five urgently, after the discovery of cracks in the wing structure of one aircraft, aircraft manufacturer Airbus confirmed on Tuesday June 23.
Of these 16 aircraft, 15 are operated by the airline Emirates and one by the Australian company Qantas, said an Airbus spokesperson. Five Emirates planes must be inspected immediately, starting Wednesday and before their next flight. Emirates, the United Arab Emirates airline based in Dubai, is Airbus’ largest customer for the A380s, with a fleet of more than a hundred of these very large long-haul aircraft.
Cracks on an aircraft “that could reduce the structural integrity of the wing” were discovered during inspections ordered by EASA in a December 2025 directive, the European aircraft manufacturer said. All A380s “with the same production history” have been identified and Airbus will conduct immediate inspections on five aircraft.
The manufacturer will discuss with EASA to determine whether repairs are necessary, the Airbus spokesperson said.
The other eleven aircraft can be inspected later but before their thirteenth flight, i.e. 25 cycles, one cycle including a flight, takeoff and landing.
