FedEx Targets May 31 Return for MD-11 Fleet Following Fatal November Crash

MEMPHIS, TN — A stark divide has emerged between the world’s two largest logistics giants as they navigate the future of the iconic McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter. While FedEx Express is doubling down on the trijet with a target return-to-service date of May 31, 2026, United Parcel Service (UPS) has officially closed the book on the aircraft’s thirty-year tenure following a devastating accident that sent shockwaves through the industry.

The divergent strategies come exactly three months after the tragic crash of UPS Flight 2976. On November 4, 2025, the MD-11 freighter, registered as N259UP, suffered a catastrophic separation of its number-one (left) engine and pylon during its takeoff roll at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The aircraft climbed only 30 feet before impacting an industrial area, resulting in the loss of all three crew members and 12 people on the ground.

In the wake of the disaster, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive that grounded the global MD-11 fleet for immediate inspections. For UPS, the decision to walk away was final.

“We have decided to accelerate our plans and retire all MD-11 aircraft in our fleet,” stated UPS CEO Carol Tomé during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call on January 27. “We believe these actions are consistent with building a more efficient global network positioned for growth, flexibility and profitability.”

The FedEx Gamble

Contrary to its rival, FedEx has signalled an "unshakable faith" in the airworthiness of the MD-11, provided that rigorous maintenance protocols are met. The Memphis-based carrier, which grounded its 29 remaining MD-11s in November, reported that the grounding has already eroded profits by an estimated $175 million due to the high cost of leasing alternative "short-term lift."

FedEx officials confirmed today, February 2, 2026, that they are working around the clock with Boeing and the FAA to perform advanced High-Frequency Eddy Current scans and Non-Destructive Testing on the fleet’s wing-spar and pylon attachments.

“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,” a FedEx spokesperson stated earlier this week.

NTSB Findings

The investigation into the UPS crash has centred on the structural integrity of the engine mounts. Recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports revealed that investigators identified fatigue cracks in a spherical bearing assembly, a component that Boeing had flagged in a service letter more than a decade ago.

While Boeing determined at the time that the issue would not result in a "safety of flight condition," the Louisville accident has forced a re-evaluation of ageing Trijet structures. FedEx believes its superior in-house maintenance capabilities at its Memphis "SuperHub" will allow it to mitigate these risks more effectively than UPS, which was already in the final stages of its phase-out.

Air Operations Update

The following table outlines the transition as UPS replaces its lost MD-11 capacity with newer Boeing 767-300Fs and FedEx targets its fleet resurrection.

*Note: UPS (5X) operations signify the transition to new Boeing 767-300F capacity following the MD-11 retirement. FedEx (FX) return remains a rolling resumption starting May 31.

The "DRIVE" for Efficiency

For UPS, the retirement resulted in a $137 million non-cash write-off but cleared the way for 18 new Boeing 767 freighters arriving throughout 2026. For FedEx, the MD-11 remains a vital piece of the "DRIVE" cost-saving initiative, providing a "high-payload middle gear" that is currently irreplaceable in their network without significant capital expenditure.

As the industry approaches the May 31 deadline, all eyes will be on the FAA to see if the legendary Trijet is cleared to once again dominate the midnight skies over Memphis.