Airbus will urgently inspect 16 A380 planes after wing-spar cracks were discovered during routine maintenance, prompting immediate action by EASA for enhanced safety measures.

The air safety directive to Qantas and other airlines for some of their A380s comes amid reports that the Australian carrier is eyeing a replacement plane for the superjumbo.

The air safety directive to Qantas and other airlines for some of their A380s comes amid reports that the Australian carrier is eyeing a replacement plane for the superjumbo.