Airbus to inspect 16 A380s after wing spar cracks found on Emirates and Qantas jets
Airbus announced on Tuesday that 16 A380 superjumbos will undergo inspections, five immediately, after cracks were discovered in a critical wing component on aircraft operated by Emirates and Qantas. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency ordered the checks.
Airbus confirmed on 23 June 2026 that 16 of its A380 wide-body jets require inspections after cracks were detected in the wing mid spar, a structural component that bears significant aerodynamic loads during flight. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an emergency directive compelling airlines to examine the affected wing spar structure.
Discovery and directive
The cracks were found during routine maintenance inspections, following an earlier EASA directive from December 2025 that had already required checks on certain spar areas. The agency identified the wing mid spars, intermediate longerons that support torsional and bending loads, as the affected area.
Cracks could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.
Immediate and deferred checks
Five Emirates A380s must be inspected immediately, starting on Wednesday 24 June and before their next flight. The remaining 11 aircraft can be inspected later, but no later than their 13th flight, defined as 25 flight cycles (one cycle comprising a takeoff and a landing). Airbus said all A380s with the same production history have been identified.
- EASA issues directive ordering inspection of wing spar areas on A380 aircraft.
- Airbus confirms cracks found during routine maintenance and announces inspections of 16 A380s.
- Five Emirates A380s to be inspected immediately before their next flight.
Fleet and operators
Of the 16 aircraft, 15 are flown by Emirates and one by Australian carrier Qantas. Emirates, based in Dubai, operates the world’s largest A380 fleet, accounting for more than half of the active superjumbos. Other A380 operators include Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA, and Asiana Airlines, though these are not subject to the current inspections.
Previous quality issues
The A380 inspections follow an earlier quality problem with the A320 family. In December 2025, Airbus said up to 628 A320 jets could be affected by metal panel issues, describing it as an estimate of the maximum number requiring inspection. The source of that problem was identified and contained, and all recently produced panels met specifications, according to the company.
