Singapore, Emirates, Air France A380s to be checked—EASA

PARIS—The Airbus A380 planes that must be inspected after cracks were discovered in their wings belong to Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air France, the European Aviation Safety Agency said Wednesday.

“In total 20 planes must be inspected, eight (that had carried out more than 1,800 flights) by Friday at the latest, the 12 others within six weeks,” EASA spokesman Dominique Fouda told AFP.

“The most urgent inspections concern six planes from Singapore Airlines and two from Emirates,” he said.

Among the 12 others, one plane belongs to Air France and another is a test plane belonging to Airbus.

EASA had on Friday recommended the checks after new cracks were discovered in the superjumbos’ wings. A source close to the matter had earlier told AFP that 30 of the 67 A380s in service were concerned.

The A380 is the world’s biggest passenger jet and a key product in Airbus’s line-up.

Read more...