FedEx Express (FX, Memphis International) parked all eight of its remaining MD-10-30(F)s at the end of 2022, Cargo Facts has reported.
Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that two of the eight aircraft have been at Indianapolis International since December 29. The remaining six operated their last revenue flights to Memphis International between December 29 and December 31. Of the latter, one unit - N318FE (msn 46837) - was ferried to Victorville on December 30.
In its quarterly statistical outlook published on December 22, FedEx said the eight MD-10s would be retired by the end of the Fiscal Year 2023 (i.e. May 31, 2023) but did not provide a more detailed timeline.
The express cargo specialist has operated a sizeable fleet of DC/MD-10s throughout its history. The ch-aviation fleets history module shows that FedEx's fleet included, in total, sixteen DC-10-10s (retired by 2006), forty-two DC-10-10(F)s (2013), eight DC-10-10CFs (2009), twelve DC-10-30(F)s (2010), two DC-10-30CF (2010), sixty-four MD-10-10(F)s (2021), and eighteen MD-10-30(F)s. The carrier continues to operate fifty-eight MD-11Fs and does not plan to retire any of them through at least 2028.
The eight remaining MD-10-30(F)s were 39.9 years old on average. FedEx was one of only two remaining operators of the variant alongside Transportes Aéreos Bolivianos (2L, La Paz El Alto), which continues to operate a single unit of the type. One more MD-10-30(F)s is operated by humanitarian medical operator Orbis as a flying hospital.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that FedEx Express' in-house jet fleet also comprises forty-two A300-600Fs, twenty-four A300-600R(F)s (which, despite their advanced age, are not slated for retirement in the next years), 108 B757-200(SF)s, 125 B767-300Fs (with a further 27 on firm order from Boeing), and fifty-three B777-200Fs (six on order).
