Airlines using the A380 include Emirates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Etihad Airways, ANA and Asiana Airlines.
Emirates operates the largest A380 fleet in the world, flying over half of all active superjumbos.
Cracks on an aircraft that “could reduce the structural integrity of the wing” were discovered during inspections ordered by EASA in a directive issued in December 2025, the European planemaker said.
The A380 is the world’s only full-length double-decker passenger aircraft. Photo / Getty Images
All A380s “with the same production history” have been identified, and Airbus will carry out immediate inspections on five aircraft.
The Toulouse-based plane manufacturer would discuss with EASA whether repairs were necessary, an Airbus spokesperson said.
The 11 other aircraft could be inspected later, but before 25 cycles, with one cycle consisting of a takeoff, a flight, and a landing.
The A380 has faced wing-related problems before and the EASA in 2012 ordered inspections after cracks were found in brackets linking the wing skin to internal ribs.
That affected the entire global A380 fleet and led to a costly repair programme which Airbus addressed through design changes on planes produced later.
– AFP