Key insights
- The FAA approved Boeing's protocol for MD-11 aircraft after a fatal crash. UPS retired its MD-11 fleet, while FedEx plans to resume flights after compliance with new maintenance. This event has a slightly negative influence as it highlights safety concerns and potential operational disruptions, but the impact is limited given the age of the aircraft and the relatively small number of planes affected.
May 11 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday that it had approved Boeing’s protocol for safely returning MD-11 airplanes to service in the U.S. after barring flights in December following a fatal crash in November of a UPS cargo plane in Kentucky that killed 15 people.
UPS opted to retire its MD-11 fleet after the fatal crash but FedEx said it plans to resume the use of its fleet of 28 MD-11 planes later this month after they are in compliance with the Boeing maintenance requirements.