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Brussels.– The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an airworthiness directive mandating additional special inspections on several Airbus A380 aircraft, after detecting potential cracks in their wing structure that could compromise the integrity of the aircraft.
n” “nAccording to the regulatory body, the cracks identified in some aircraft could affect the structural integrity of the wings, which is why the manufacturer Airbus determined the need to carry out additional detailed inspections as a preventive measure.
n” “nThe directive, issued on June 22nd, establishes that a total of 16 aircraft must undergo these inspections. Of these, 15 belong to the airline Emirates, the world’s main operator of the model, while one is operated by Qantas Airways.
n” “nEmirates has more than a hundred A380s in service, making it the largest operator of this giant of the skies. This is not the first time the model has faced problems of this type. In 2012, several airlines were forced to temporarily ground their aircraft after cracks were detected in wing components.
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That situation generated significant costs for Airbus, which had to assume hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs and maintenance, in addition to facing delays in scheduled deliveries to airlines.
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n” “nThe A380, considered the largest passenger aircraft in the world, ceased production due to a decrease in demand. In recent years, airlines have opted for smaller, more fuel-efficient aircraft to cover long-haul routes.
n” “nWith a length of 73 meters, a wingspan of 79.75 meters, and a height of 24.1 meters, the A380 can carry up to 555 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and up to 850 passengers in an all-economy configuration.
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The aircraft was officially unveiled on January 18, 2005, in Toulouse, France, and made its first flight on April 27 of that same year. Since then, it became a symbol of modern commercial aviation, standing out for its unprecedented capacity and dimensions.
n” “nThe new inspections seek to ensure the operational safety of the global fleet that still remains in service, while Airbus and aeronautical authorities continue to monitor the structural behavior of these aircraft.
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