By Patrick Costello

Airbus SE (AIR.FR) will ask airlines to inspect in-service A380 airplanes for cracks in their wings after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said Tuesday that it found occurrences of cracks in the passenger vehicles.

The EASA said this condition could reduce the structural integrity of the wings if it isn't corrected. The action applies to the 25 oldest wing sets of A380 planes, it added.

The agency said airlines are required to use ultrasonic testing methods to inspect for cracks and contact Airbus for repair instructions if any are detected.

In February, Airbus said it would stop manufacturing the A380 in 2021, citing falling demand for the superjumbo jet. Airbus previously faced similar problems with the A380 in 2012 after cracks were discovered in the wings of numerous aircraft.

Write to Patrick Costello at patrick.costello@dowjones.com.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 09, 2019 07:31 ET (11:31 GMT)