Holiday Package Delays Loom as UPS, FedEx Ground MD-11 Fleet
Updated November 8, 2025 – Concerns are rising about potential disruptions to holiday deliveries as the Federal Aviation Governance (FAA) has grounded a notable portion of UPS and FedEx’s MD-11 freighter fleets. the grounding, stemming from safety concerns, comes at a especially sensitive time with peak holiday shipping season rapidly approaching. Here’s what you need to know about the situation and how it might impact your packages.
[Image of a man looking at a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport.Alt text: A man looks at the departures board at Newark Liberty International airport in New jersey on Friday, the first day of FAA-mandated flight reductions.]
What’s Happening with the MD-11s?
The FAA issued directives requiring inspections of all MD-11 aircraft following recent incidents. This has led to UPS and FedEx proactively grounding 26 planes to ensure compliance. While the MD-11 represents a smaller portion of each company’s overall fleet, its capacity is substantial.
Western Global Airlines, another cargo carrier utilizing MD-11s, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
How Will This Affect Holiday Deliveries?
Both UPS and FedEx assure customers they have contingency plans in place to mitigate disruptions.However, experts suggest potential impacts are unavoidable, especially as shipping volumes surge. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
* Capacity Reduction: Each UPS MD-11 can carry approximately 20,000 packages.Losing access to these planes significantly reduces overall shipping capacity.
* Shift to Choice Transportation: Companies may attempt to shift some cargo to passenger airlines, rail, and trucking services. This adds complexity and potential delays.
* Potential for Delays: Jeremy Tancredi, a supply chain expert at West Monroe, notes that the reduced capacity could be “a real big factor” as peak volume increases.
* Grounding Duration Matters: The length of the grounding is critical. Mike Stengel of AeroDynamic Advisory explains that delays are more likely if the grounding extends beyond a week or two.
FAA Flight Reductions & Cargo
The FAA’s recent directives to airports to reduce flights due to the ongoing government shutdown shouldn’t directly impact cargo deliveries. This is because:
* Timing Differences: Cargo carriers like UPS and FedEx primarily operate during nighttime hours.
* Reduced Air Traffic: Air traffic controller staffing is less strained during these off-peak times.
Holiday Shipping Forecast & What You Can Do
Despite the MD-11 grounding, overall holiday package volume is projected to increase by 5% compared to 2024. ShipMatrix estimates a staggering 2.3 billion packages will be delivered this season.
Whether UPS or FedEx will adjust holiday shipping deadlines remains unclear. Though, experts offer a simple solution:
Shop Early.
Tancredi emphasizes that utilizing rail and ground networks can still ensure timely delivery. “With the rail network taking on more capacity, with the ground network and trucks taking on more capacity, ther’s still time to order online and get your holiday packages there,” he says.
Key Takeaway: While UPS and FedEx are working to minimize disruptions, the MD-11 grounding introduces uncertainty into the holiday shipping landscape.Proactive planning and early shopping are your best defenses against potential delays.
Resources:
* NPR: Flight Cuts Government Shutdown
* ShipMatrix Parcel Market Forecast