FedEx Minimizes Disruption After MD-11 Grounding With Backup Fleet

FedEx says it expects only limited shipping disruption after the FAA ordered the temporary grounding of all MD-11 freighters, following last week’s catastrophic UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville that killed 14 people. According to Chief Financial Officer John Dietrich, inspections are moving quickly and alternative aircraft have already been deployed to keep operations running smoothly.

The FAA grounded MD-11 fleets at FedEx, UPS and Western Global Airlines after the UPS aircraft’s left-wing engine and pylon detached during takeoff. Early inspections are concentrating on engines and engine mounts. FedEx mechanics, working with Boeing and the FAA, will inspect 25 active MD-11s in the coming days. Of the company’s 34 aircraft, six are inactive and three are spares.

Dietrich emphasized that aircraft will return to service individually as soon as they clear inspection, rather than waiting for the entire fleet to be approved. The timing is crucial as peak holiday shipping season is underway, when every aircraft is vital to meeting retail and e-commerce demand.

To mitigate capacity loss, FedEx is activating spare aircraft, deferring scheduled maintenance on eligible jets and routing shipments through commercial airline partners. Because 18 of the 25 active MD-11s operate domestically, FedEx is also shifting more volume to its U.S. ground network to maintain delivery performance.

The company is leveraging its vast global network to offset MD-11 downtime and, as Dietrich noted, the grounded jets count toward the FAA’s mandated flight-schedule reductions during the government shutdown. Those cuts — beginning at 4% and rising to 10% by Nov. 14 — may end sooner if Congress finalizes an agreement to reopen the government.

FedEx executives say cooperation with Boeing and regulators is strong. “There’s a deep sense of urgency to get through this period as quickly as possible,” CEO Raj Subramaniam told analysts.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com