FedEx announced on Wednesday that it intends to have its fleet of grounded MD-11 cargo aircraft back in operation by May 31, the close of its current fiscal quarter. The company said it is collaborating with Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out the necessary inspections and maintenance procedures that would permit the MD-11s to resume flying.
Officials at the logistics company stated that they are continuing to work with both Boeing and the FAA to address any inspection and maintenance work required to ensure the safe return to service of the MD-11s. The aircraft have been grounded since a deadly crash in Kentucky last year prompted an operational halt while authorities and the company reviewed safety and maintenance protocols.
FedEx emphasized coordination with the aircraft manufacturer and the federal regulator as the pathway to completing whatever checks and repairs are deemed necessary. The company provided the May 31 timeline as the target date for returning these jets to service, which coincides with the end of its present fiscal quarter.
Beyond confirming the target date and the ongoing work with Boeing and the FAA, the company did not provide further operational timelines or additional technical details about the inspections. The announcement focused on the procedural steps being taken with the relevant parties to ensure safety before resuming operations.
The grounding followed a fatal accident in Kentucky last year, and FedEx’s statement reiterates that safety assessments and maintenance remain central to decisions about when the MD-11s will fly again. By setting a specific date, the company has established an internal deadline tied to its financial reporting period, while indicating that actual return to service depends on completing the necessary inspection and maintenance processes in coordination with Boeing and the FAA.