Dubai-based airline Emirates is preparing to carry out accelerated safety inspections on 15 of its Airbus A380 superjumbos after cracks were discovered in a critical structural component of the aircraft’s wings during maintenance work.

Following the discovery, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an emergency directive requiring special inspections of certain A380 aircraft. According to Airbus, the cracks were found in a central wing support beam, a key component responsible for carrying significant loads during takeoff, flight, and landing. Any defect in the structure could affect the aircraft’s long-term durability and safety.

The directive was issued after routine maintenance inspections identified defects that could potentially impact the wing’s structural integrity. Airbus said the affected aircraft were produced during similar manufacturing batches, prompting targeted inspections across the relevant fleet.

A total of 16 A380 aircraft worldwide were included in the inspection order. Fifteen belong to Emirates, while one is operated by Australian carrier Qantas. Five of the Emirates aircraft were classified as high-priority and must undergo inspections within the coming days.

Emirates emphasized that all inspections will be completed in accordance with manufacturer and regulatory requirements and that any aircraft requiring repairs will not return to service until the work is finished. The airline said it is working closely with Airbus and aviation regulators to minimize disruptions to its flight schedule.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)