FedEx reinjects MD-11 capacity ahead of peak

FedEx Express is reactivating stored MD-11Fs as it gears up for what will be another busy peak amid the prolonged strength of the freighter market. The express integrator brought a 1992-vintage MD-11F (48478, ex-Delta Air Lines) with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines that it had stored in Victorville (VCV) in February 2019 out of the desert on Aug. 15. The aircraft arrived in Singapore (QPG) Aug. 18 for maintenance ahead of reentry into service. [caption id="attachment_416440" align="alignright" width="560"] FedEx currently has fifty-five MD-11Fs in service. (Photo/FedEx)[/caption] Unit 48478 follows the 1991-vintage unit 48458 (ex-China Airlines), which had been at VCV since February 2020 and went to Singapore (SIN) at the end of May 2021. After around two months, it returned to Memphis (MEM) late July and began service, joining an active fleet of fifty-four other MD-11Fs. Cargo Facts believes more MD-11Fs will leave the desert. FedEx currently only has one more unit (48476, ex-Delta) that has not been parked for more than eighteen months, as well as four slightly younger units acquired from Lufthansa Cargo (48785, 48798, 48801 and 48802) with General Electric CF6-80C2 engines. FedEx declined to comment. Fellow integrator UPS, which now has forty-two MD-11Fs, acquired five ex-Lufthansa units at the end of 2019 . All five (48803, 48805, 48806, 48782 and 48800) gradually entered active service between October 2020 and August 2021. Meanwhile, other carriers providing ACMI capacity to the integrators are also growing their own fleets. Western Global Airlines has now acquired two (48781 and 48784) of Lufthansa Cargo’s three remaining MD-11Fs, with the third to follow in the next few months , and is also preparing to begin service with the 1992-vintage 747-400BDSF (25452) it acquired from Asiana Airlines earlier this year. National Airlines, which has already reactivated three ex-Cathay Pacific 747-400BCFs (25068, 26547 and 27217) in the past year or so, will soon start flying its sixth 747-400BCF. The carrier acquired the SuperTanker in June 2021 and ferried the 747-4000BCF (25308) to the VT San Antonio Aerospace facility in San Antonio (SAT) to prepare it for freighter operations. Atlas Air, for its part, recently said it is purchasing eight leased 747-400Fs already in its fleet to ensure it has enough capacity for its customers. Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE October 25-27 at the Wynn Las Vegas, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Hear from FedEx executive vice president and chief executive officer, Scot Struminger, during an exclusive Fireside Chat at the event. Learn more and register at www.cargofactssymposium.com .

FedEx reinjects MD-11 capacity ahead of peak

The integrator isn’t alone in its widebody bullishness

JAS signs SPA to acquire Greencarrier Freight Services International

IAI to convert 767s in Ethiopia

IAI to convert 767s in Ethiopia

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password