FedEx plans MD-11 return by late May 2026, a day after UPS retires its fleet

FedEx said it is working with Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration to return its grounded MD-11 cargo aircraft to service by the end of May 2026, even as rival UPS has retired the type in the wake of a deadly crash in November 2025 that killed 15 people. 

FedEx confirmed that inspections and maintenance actions are underway as part of its effort to resume MD-11 operations. The company grounded the aircraft type following the fatal crash involving the UPS-operated MD-11 in Louisville, Kentucky. 

“We continue to work with Boeing and the FAA to address any required inspection and maintenance that may be needed to return our MD-11 aircraft safely to service,” FedEx said in a statement cited by Reuters. The company said it is targeting a return to service by May 31, though it has not disclosed how many aircraft will be involved in the initial restart. 

The announcement came one day after UPS confirmed it has officially retired its entire MD-11 fleet, accelerating the type’s exit from US cargo operations. UPS disclosed the move during its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, marking the end of more than two decades of MD-11 service at the carrier. 

FedEx is now one of the last major US operators of the MD-11, which has long played a central role in its long-haul cargo network. The aircraft remains popular for freight operations due to its payload capability and range, though the aging tri-jet has faced increasing scrutiny following recent accidents and maintenance findings. 

The UPS crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and killed the three crewmembers on board as well as 12 people on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the accident, which has become a focal point for industry concerns surrounding the MD-11’s continued operation. 

Earlier this month, the NTSB disclosed that investigators found a cracked component on the UPS aircraft involved in the crash. According to the agency, Boeing had flagged the part more than a decade ago. Officials have not said whether the issue contributed to the accident, and no conclusions have been reached. The investigation remains ongoing. 

FedEx has not said whether the MD-11 grounding could lead to longer-term changes in its fleet strategy. The company also declined to say whether it plans to accelerate retirements or limit MD-11 operations once the aircraft returns to service. 

The MD-11 entered service in the early 1990s and became a mainstay of cargo fleets after passenger airlines phased out the type. While several international operators continue to fly the aircraft, its presence in the US has steadily declined as carriers shift toward newer twin-engine freighters. 

FedEx said it will provide updates as the return-to-service process progresses. The post FedEx plans MD-11 return by late May 2026, a day after UPS retires its fleet appeared first on AeroTime.

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