All 68 Airbus A380 superjumbos in service are to be checked after cracks were discovered in wing components.
The order came from the European Aviation Safety Agency, extending an earlier inspection of 20 A230s last month.
Manufacturer Airbus stressed that the “safe operation of the planes is not affected”.
The move came as Qantas suspended the use of one of its A380s after discovering 36 small cracks in key wing components.
Singapore Airlines has repaired some of its A380s after finding cracks and has since put them back into operation.
EASA confirmed that A380s which have flown more than 1,384 flights will need inspections within three weeks of February 13.
Those with between 1,216 and 1,384 flights will need to be seen within six weeks of that date.
Aircraft with less than 1,216 recorded flights will be inspected at the next routine maintenance interval.