UPS and FedEx Ground MD-11 Cargo Planes, Shipping Delays Expected

Customers across the United States may experience shipping delays as both UPS and FedEx have grounded their MD-11 cargo planes. This decision follows a safety recommendation from Boeing and comes in the wake of a tragic crash on November 7, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky, which resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including a child.

The grounding affects approximately 9 percent of UPS Airlines’ fleet. A UPS cargo plane caught fire shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, leading to an engine separation and subsequent crash that caused a catastrophic explosion. Boeing’s Safety Review Board assessed the situation and concluded that further engineering analysis was necessary. In response, company officials stated, “We recommended temporarily pausing fleet operations, so the analysis and any necessary corrective actions could be completed.”

UPS announced its decision to ground the MD-11 fleet as a proactive measure, emphasizing that “nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve.” FedEx also confirmed its compliance with Boeing’s recommendation, stating that it would conduct “a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.” The company added that it was “immediately implementing contingency plans within our integrated air-ground network to minimize disruptions.”

Supply chain expert Tom Goldsby from the University of Tennessee commented on the situation, noting that many businesses and consumers do not fully understand the complexities of logistics. “We just don’t expect our logistics operations to have a calamity or even a bad day,” he explained. Despite the immediate impacts, Goldsby believes customers will be understanding of the delays, expressing, “I understand the circumstance and will gladly receive it when it arrives.”

While the grounding of these cargo planes poses challenges, experts anticipate minimal disruption to the upcoming holiday shipping season as companies activate their backup plans. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the Louisville crash, which has raised concerns regarding the safety of the MD-11 aircraft.

As both UPS and FedEx work through this crisis, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of their operations while delivering goods to customers as efficiently as possible.