The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) has issued a warning over cracks found in the wing ribs of Airbus A380s operated by Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

Speaking to local media, Steve Purvinas, secretary of ALAEA said: "We can't continue to gamble with people's lives and allow those aircraft to fly around and hope that they make it until their four-yearly inspection."

Airbus said "very small cracks" have been found on some "non-critical wing rib-skin attachments on a limited number of A380 aircraft".

The airframer added: "This is not a safety issue and aircraft performance is not affected. Any fix, if necessary, can be done during regular maintenance."

Both carriers said the cracks posed no threat to flight safety and have been repaired.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news