And then there were nine. Lufthansa Cargo will retire all remaining MD-11Fs by the end of next year. (Photo: Lufthansa Cargo)

Lufthansa Cargo has removed another MD-11F from its fleet [FAT 005241]. The aircraft in question (48806) is the third to be withdrawn by the carrier in 2019, after unit 48805 in October and unit 48785 in August.

Lufthansa Cargo told Cargo Facts that, as a result of the recent decision to proceed with an accelerated fleet renewal program, additional MD-11F retirements before the year is over aren’t entirely impossible, but the exact timing has yet to be confirmed for now.

After having completed a round trip between Frankfurt (FRA) and Hong Kong (HKG) via Novosibirsk (OVB) on the final day of October, unit 48806 was finally ferried to Victorville (VCV) on Nov. 26 to be parked. This frame was delivered to the German carrier in January 2001 and was the final MD-11 to come off the production line at the Long Beach facility in 2000.

Lufthansa Cargo now has nine MD-11Fs left in active operation, all around 20-21 years of age. These are all due to be withdrawn by the end of 2020. Next year will also see two new 777Fs joining the fleet, ordered as part of the replacement plan.

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