Qantas Airways downplayed on Friday possible questions on its flight safety as reports of cracks discovered on wing ribs of its A380s emerged, renewing fears that engine failures could again hit its aircrafts.

Reports have indicated that cracks on A380s owned and operated by Qantas and Singapore Airlines were recently found during routine maintenance works.

Officials of Singapore Airlines, according to Fairfax, have confirmed that cracks on its A380s have been found last year.

The discoveries prompted fresh concerns that Qantas may encounter again the same problems that beset it fleet of Airbus A380s in late 2010 when episodes of engine blowouts forced the national carrier to ground a number of its flights.

The flights then identified for grounding were using Airbus planes fitted with Rolls Royce engines, leading to some mid-air scares for some Qantas passengers but fortunately not resulting to full-blown accidents and deaths.

Ensuing million-dollar suits were also filed by Qantas against Rolls Royce, claiming faulty engineering led to numerous engine failures that caused the airline millions of losses.

In a statement, however, issued by the airline on Friday, Qantas rejected suggestions that passenger safety will again be compromised by the cracks noticed on one of its aircraft while undergoing repair in Singapore.

According to Australian Associated Press (AAP), the cracks were measured at about one centimetre long but Qantas insisted that such noticeable signs were not regarded by experts as precursor to possible engine failures.

"No immediate action is required by A380 operators because the cracking presents no risk whatsoever to flight safety," the Qantas statement said.

Notwithstanding, Qantas has ordered the close check-ups of its entire fleet and advised its maintenance people to ensure that proper repair works will be immediately applied for any damages appraised on aircrafts.

Also, Airbus has been made aware of the new issue, which in turn released a note that tells airlines with A380s on their fleet that the problem was far from alarming and can be addressed by routine checking and maintenance works.

Qantas confirmed too that Airbus plans to issue a new advisory that would serve as standard maintenance procedure for A380 owners, which the company said it would adopt once released.

"Formal guidance is being developed by Airbus that is likely to require A380 operators to inspect wing ribs for this type of cracking every four years," Qantas said.