FedEx Corp. has resumed flying its MD-11 freighter for the first time since the FAA grounded the entire fleet in November 2025. The carrier plans to reactivate all 28 aircraft by the end of May with Boeing’s support, following inspections of pylons and attachment structures mandated by an FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive.
The grounding, which began on November 8, 2025, prohibited all MD-11 and MD-11F flights globally. It led to a $120 million hit to FedEx’s adjusted operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, the first full quarter without the fleet. Higher operating costs and lost revenue during peak season contributed to the impact, with an additional headwind of up to $55 million expected in the fourth quarter.
FedEx CFO John Dietrich noted the challenges in reconfiguring the network amid the disruption. The company stated it is working with Boeing and the FAA to complete required maintenance for safe return to service.
In contrast, UPS accelerated retirement of its 27 MD-11 freighters after the grounding, fully phasing them out by early 2026 and replacing capacity with Boeing 767-300Fs and 747-8Fs.