PARIS – Airbus said on Thursday it had discovered more cracks in the wings of A380 superjumbo aircraft but insisted the world’s largest jetliner remained safe to fly.

The announcement comes two weeks after tiny cracks were first reported in the wings of the 525-seat, double-decker aircraft, which entered service just over four years ago.

Airbus said it was in talks with the European safety agency, EASA.

“Additional cracks have been found and we are working closely on this issue with EASA,” an Airbus spokesman said. “They do not affect safe operation of the aircraft.

Two aviation industry sources told Reuters the agency, which is responsible for aviation safety in the European Union, may issue an airworthiness directive requiring checks this week.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, Z.A.P.P.