All A380 superjumbos to be checked for wing cracks

European aviation safety body about to expand directive to include all aircraft, not just those that have exceeded a certain number of flightsThe entire global fleet of A380 superjumbos will be inspected for wing cracks after the European aviation safety body ordered an expansion of safety checks.The European Aviation Safety Agency said a new directive, to be issued imminently, will apply to all 68 of the Airbus planes in service. Last month the EASA ordered checks for 20 A380s after finding a series of cracks in British-made wings that could "potentially affect the structural integrity" of the 525-seater jets if they are not corrected.The A380's biggest customer is Dubai-based Emirates, which operates 20 planes, followed by Singapore Airlines with 15, Qantas with 12, Lufthansa eight, Air France six, Korean Air five and China Southern two.Qantas announced on Wednesday it had temporarily grounded an A380 after discovering 36 new cracks.Referring to the looming EASA statement, an Airbu