aerospace / news / / Simple Flying
The MD-11 has long been a backbone of FedEx’s long-haul cargo operations.
FedEx will resume MD-11 freighter operations in May after completing safety inspections and reviews.
KEY POINTS
- The initial MD-11 grounding followed a UPS crash caused by fatigue-induced cracks in engine pylon mounts.
- Regulatory focus was on MD-11 pylon fatigue, not a fundamental design flaw with the aircraft type.
- UPS retired its MD-11 fleet in January 2026, but FedEx is keeping and returning its aircraft to service.
- FedEx is using MD-11s to meet high demand while awaiting delivery of newer, more efficient planes.
COMPANIES
Summarized by Newsio from Simple Flying. How we summarize →