Title: The Grounding of UPS and FedEx MD-11 Planes: Implications for Holiday Shipping
The recent grounding of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft by both UPS and FedEx has raised concerns about the potential impact on holiday shipping. This decision was made after a UPS plane crashed, leading to an emergency directive from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibiting flight for these planes pending further inspection.
The MD-11s make up only a small portion of each company's cargo fleet; however, aviation experts warn that if they remain grounded for too long, it could lead to delays in holiday deliveries. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but Boeing has recommended operators of these aircraft to suspend flight operations while additional engineering analysis is performed as a precautionary measure.
First introduced in 1986 and beginning service flights in December 1990, MD-11s have been gradually phased out by both UPS and FedEx over the years. In fact, UPS announced plans to replace its remaining MD-11 aircraft with more efficient Boeing 767 planes back in 2023. Meanwhile, FedEx had already retired 20 of these planes within the last three years and planned to retire the rest by fiscal year 2032.
Given this historical context, it seems unlikely that the grounding will have long-term effects on either company's operations. However, in light of the upcoming holiday season, any disruption could cause significant delays for customers expecting timely deliveries. It remains to be seen how quickly these aircraft can be inspected and returned to service, but it is clear that both UPS and FedEx are taking this issue seriously by voluntarily grounding their MD-11 fleets until further notice.
In conclusion, while the immediate impact of the grounded planes may not be catastrophic, there is still potential for disruption during an already busy shipping period. As we await more information on the cause of the crash and the timeline for resuming flights, it's important to stay informed about any updates that could affect your holiday deliveries.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/11/09/nx-s1-5602930/ups-fedex-md11-aircraft-holiday-shipping) #some
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