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FedEx Targets May Return for Grounded MD-11 Fleet

January 30, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

FedEx aims to return MD-11 aircraft to service by May 31, 2026.
Inspections and maintenance are underway with Boeing and FAA.
UPS has retired its MD-11 fleet following a deadly crash in November 2025.
FedEx is one of the last major US operators of the MD-11.

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Strategic Implications

FedEx's efforts to return the MD-11 to service may indicate the carrier's reliance on the aircraft for its long-haul cargo operations. The move could suggest that the company is prioritizing near-term capacity needs over potential long-term fleet strategy changes, which may be influenced by the ongoing investigation into the UPS crash.

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What Happened

Cargo Carrier Works With Boeing And FAA To Resume Operations

FedEx 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. The company grounded the aircraft type following a fatal crash involving a UPS-operated MD-11 in November 2025. FedEx confirmed that inspections and maintenance actions are underway, targeting a return to service by May 31. The announcement comes as UPS has officially retired its entire MD-11 fleet, marking the end of more than two decades of MD-11 service at the carrier. The move was reported by AeroTime.

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