European regulators spot cracks on Qantas A380 wings
Qantas’ fleet of older A380 superjumbo planes is undergoing inspections after European regulators flagged potential cracks on the wings.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency last week ordered inspections on 25 early series Airbus A380 jets after it detected the wing cracks.
It could compromise the wings structural integrity, the EASA said.
According to Qantas’ head of engineering Chris Snook, the airline has inspected two aircraft and said no safety concerns were found.
The EU agency said checks must be made within 15 years of the wings’ initial assembly.
The first inspection for the Qantas jets was not due until June 2020 and all must be completed by May 2021.
Qantas said it will complete checks on all aircraft well ahead of the deadlines.
"Inspections are not required on these aircraft for another year or two and are being done well in advance of the required time frames," Snook told Channel News Asia.
The biggest A380 customer Emirates has begun checking nine of its superjumbos and has so far found ‘nothing untoward.’
Singapore Air has four Airbus A380 planes that require the safety checks.
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