How many aircraft is FedEx retiring?

FedEx has decided to retire 10 older MD-11 aircraft permanently.

Are all MD-11s returning to service?

No, FedEx is returning some gradually but retiring 10 aircraft.

How does this decision affect FedEx stock?

The move may ease capacity constraints and reduce costs, potentially positive for the stock long-term.

FedEx Returns MD-11 Cargo Jets to Service, Retires 10

FedEx is gradually returning its MD-11 cargo jets to service after a 7-month grounding following a UPS crash, but has also decided to retire 10 aging aircraft.

June 24, 2026

2 min read

Source: FreightWaves

Key Numbers

grounded months

retired aircraft

FedEx (FDX) has begun slowly redeploying its fleet of MD-11 cargo aircraft, which were grounded for seven months after a fiery UPS freighter crash. At the same time, the company has decided to retire 10 older MD-11s permanently.

Details

The MD-11 fleet was grounded in November 2025 after a UPS cargo plane of the same model crashed in a fatal accident. Now, FedEx is gradually returning some of these jets to service, but has also chosen to retire 10 older aircraft from its fleet.

Context

The MD-11 is a key part of FedEx's air cargo fleet, but its aging design makes maintenance costly. This move comes as FedEx updates its fleet with more efficient aircraft like the Boeing 777.

What It Means for Investors

Returning the MD-11s to service eases capacity constraints, while retiring older jets signals a focus on efficiency. Investors may view this as a positive step for long-term cost reduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

FedEx grounded its MD-11 fleet for seven months after a UPS freighter of the same model crashed.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.