Express carrier working with Boeing and FAA to reinstate MD-11 freighter fleet following November emergency airworthiness directive
FedEx plans to return its MD-11 freighters to service by the end of May and has announced new flights between Asia Pacific (APAC) and the US via Turkey.
The express giant's MD-11F fleet has been grounded since the fatal crash of a UPS MD-11F on 4 November last year that subsequently saw the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) that ordered owners and operators of MD-11 freighters to inspect their aircraft for faults.
FedEx said in a statement to Reuters it is working with Boeing and the FAA to return the aircraft to service by 31 May.
“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 on 28 January.
According to Planespotters, FedEx has 29 MD-11Fs in its fleet, but these are all parked. The airline said in November that FedEx executives were hopeful that the company could minimise the impact of the grounding of its MD-11Fs through its commercial airline relationships, adjusting maintenance schedules and utilising its ground network.
FedEx’s announcement comes after UPS recently confirmed it had retired all its MD-11Fs in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will replace these aircraft with Boeing 767Fs.
UPS said it had made the decision to accelerate its fleet modernisation plans in its latest earnings release. Five 767Fs are due to be delivered in the first half of this year and 10 in the second half. Three more units are due in 2027.
While the grounding of the MD-11F fleet initially sparked concern about global cargo capacity, MD-11Fs have been largely operated on domestic routes and, therefore, removing them from service has not had a major impact on international cargo capacity levels.
In addition to UPS and FedEx, Western Global Airlines also operated 15 MD-11Fs. All of these are currently parked, data from Planespotters shows.
New Asia Pacific-US route
FedEx has also announced the launch of five new weekly flights connecting Asia Pacific and the US via Istanbul International Airport (IST) and the newly inaugurated FedEx global air transit facility at IST. All five flights utilise Boeing 777 freighters.
Three flights depart from the FedEx APAC hub at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), while two flights depart from the FedEx Shanghai International Express and Cargo Facility at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
"This enhanced capacity provides businesses in Turkey with greater flexibility and reliability for imports from Asia and exports to Europe and the US," said FedEx.
The next-day arrival of the 777F from China provides Turkish importers with an earlier clearance opportunity, stressed the company.
FedEx will now be able to provide the required customs documentation one day earlier, enabling customers to clear their goods on the day of arrival instead of waiting an extra day.
“As the global trade landscape continues to evolve, Türkiye plays an increasingly important role as a bridge between Asia and the rest of the world,” said Eser Sezek, vice president, ground operations, FedEx Express Turkey.
“With expanded connectivity and continuous network optimisation, FedEx in Turkey is creating exceptional value for customers who need more options. These flights mark a key step in strengthening our international air network, enhancing our ability to support key trade lanes with greater capacity and reliability.”
