AIRBUS has been ordered to check the wings on all its A380 superjumbo planes in service.
European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) ordered the aeroplane manufacturer to carry out the checks after a wing crack problem was found on the world's largest passenger aircraft.
The incident involves hairline cracks found on the wings of an A380 operated by Australian carrier Qantas.
The wings of Airbus planes are made at the company’s plant in Broughton.
Qantas has temporarily grounded the aircraft involved.
The airline said the 36 cracks posed no threat to safety.
Airbus said the cracks found were the same as those found on the wings of two jets last month.
That discovery prompted EASA to order an inspection of some A380s, but now wants all 67 planes currently in service to be inspected.
An Airbus spokesman said: “In line with standard airworthiness procedures, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has updated its initial inspection and repair requirements for the A380 wing brackets.
“The update of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) first issued on January 20 covers the A380 fleet as they approach 1,300 flight cycles and validates the ongoing inspection and repairs on the 20 aircraft covered by the first AD.
“With our AOT (All Operators Telex) mandated by the EASA AD, operators are informed that their aircraft will need to be inspected before reaching 1300 flight cycles.
“Further updates to this AD are expected as part of standard worldwide airworthiness procedures.
“Airbus confirms the safe operation of the aircraft is not affected.”
AN AIRBUS jet carrying 175 people was forced to make an emergency landing when its wheels failed to retract on take-off.
The problem with the landing gear on the Thomas Cook flight became apparent moments after the Airbus A320 left Belfast International Airport yesterday.
The pilot of the Tenerife-bound aircraft informed passengers before circling Lough Neagh for almost two hours to lose fuel.
The holidaymakers were instructed how to brace themselves for an emergency landing.
The plane landed safely at Belfast International at around 11.30am with no injuries reported.