Airbus has alerted safety regulators after cracks were found on the wings of some of its older A380 planes.
The aerospace giant, which manufactures wings for aircraft in Filton, notified the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) about the issue.
The problem only concerns 25 of Airbus’ oldest jets in service and they are all owned by Singapore Airlines.
Easa has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) and says if the condition is not found and corrected the structural integrity of the wing could be reduced.
Airbus says customers have been informed, the safety of the aircraft will not be affected and no planes will be grounded.
An Airbus spokesman told Bristol Live: "We can confirm that small cracks have been found on the outer rear-wing spars of early production A380 aircraft.
"We have identified the issue and designed an inspection and repair scheme.
"We are supporting the Easa decision to issue an Airworthiness Directive. On the 5 July Easa issued a 'proposal to issue an airworthiness directive' in order to inspect the first 25 aircraft in operation as these are the 25 oldest wingsets."
The Easa says to address the problem, Airbus plans to issue a service bulletin to provide inspection instructions.
The AD requires repetitive inspections of the affected areas of the planes by using phased-array ultrasonic testing methods for external wing box and ultrasonic testing methods for internal wing box.
"This AD is considered an interim action, limited to the 25 oldest wing sets,” the Easa said.
"Based on inspection findings, further AD action may follow to address additional in-service aeroplanes."
