Airbus announced plans to inspect 16 A380 planes after cracks were discovered in a critical wing-spar structure that carries much of the aerodynamic load during flight [1, 2, 3]. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered urgent inspections of these aircraft to address concerns that the cracks could reduce wing structural integrity [4].
Of the 16 jets, 15 are operated by Emirates and one by Qantas [1, 2]. Five Emirates aircraft require immediate inspection starting June 24, 2026, with the remaining 11 to be checked before reaching their 13th flight cycle, equivalent to 25 takeoff and landing cycles [3, 5]. Emirates owns the world's largest A380 fleet, with more than 100 planes in service, representing over half of all active A380 jets globally [4, 6].
The discovery follows earlier directives issued by EASA. In December 2025, the agency mandated inspections after initial crack findings, then on June 22, 2026, it requested additional special detailed inspections following further evidence of damage [3, 4]. "It has been determined that the cracks found on certain aeroplanes could reduce the structural integrity of the wing," EASA said. "To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus determined that an additional special detailed inspection has to be accomplished," it added [4].
Airbus is consulting with EASA on whether repairs will be necessary after the inspections are completed. An Airbus spokesperson said, "The Toulouse-based plane manufacturer will discuss with EASA whether repairs are necessary" [3]. The manufacturer no longer produces the A380 model, due to falling demand for very large aircraft in favor of more fuel-efficient smaller planes [4, 6].
The cracks appear in a load-bearing structural beam running along the wing, a component crucial for flight safety [1, 7]. Past wing-related issues prompted a similar EASA-ordered inspection and repair program in 2012 [3, 5].
Immediate inspections on the five Emirates aircraft began on June 24, 2026, as scheduled [1, 2, 3]. The other 11 affected A380s will be inspected before crossing the 13th flight cycle to ensure ongoing airworthiness [3].
