UPS Airlines Retires Their MD-11F Fleet

In their investors earnings call, UPS announced that their fleet of 36 MD-11Fs have been retired from service. Two of the 36 are still stored at HNL, N254UP (c/n 48406, l/n 547, f/n 254) and N288UP (c/n 48504, l/n 611, f/n 288) have been here since the grounding following the crash of UPS2976. 

N254UP has been parked on the ‘Ewa ramp since the grounding, and N288UP has been parked at Hardstand 2. Both aircraft have their engine intakes and exhausts covered, and the vent ports have been taped over.

Nothing has been revealed as to the plans to ferry out these two MD-11Fs.

Further information in this UPS press release.

29 January 2026 UPDATE

N288UP was moved to the Elliott Street ramp by Hawaiian Airlines, and Federal Express' N643FE has been moved to the North Ramp.

UPS and FedEx Temporarily Ground Their MD-11F Fleets

In the wake of the UPS2976, both UPS Airlines and Federal Express have voluntarily grounded their MD-11F fleets for a safety stand-down. UPS currently has 36 MD-11Fs, and FedEx currently has 29 MD-11Fs in operation that will be temporarily grounded, for safety and inspections.

Both carriers have been using MD-11Fs to fly to/from HNL, and it's uncertain what the impact will be, but both airlines will substitute other airliners in their place.

In a brief statement by Boeing, it also recommends that Western Global Airlines temporarily grounds their fleet of 15 MD-11Fs.

Further information in this Fox Business article, and this UPS press release.

Three MD-11Fs have been grounded at HNL. FedEx's N643FE "Kennedy" (c/n 48486, l/n 509, f/n 643) last flew from OAK to HNL on the 7th as FDX1875, and both UPS's N288UP (c/n 48504, l/n 611, f/n 288) and N254UP (c/n 48406, l/n 547, f/n 254)  last flew from SDF to HNL as UPS5966 and UPS2252 respectively on the 6th.

UPS Airlines' N259UP Crash

N259UP (c/n 48417, l/n 467, f/n 259), a UPS Airlines MD-11F, crashed after takeoff at SDF. It was departing for HNL as UPS2976, with a crew of three, who perished. This MD-11F was loaded with cargo and 38,000 gallons of jet fuel for the eight and half hour flight. UPS2976 was scheduled to depart at 15:00EST, departed at 15:41EST, and was scheduled to arrive at HNL around 19:00HAST. There are reports of casualties on the ground as well. The FAA and the NTSB will take the lead on the investigation of this accident.

An eyewitness video on AirNavRadar's Facebook page shows the number one engine on fire during its takeoff roll.

Further information in this Fox News developing story.

48417's History:

Jly 1991: Delivered to Thai Airways as HS-TME "Pathun Wan".

Feb 2006: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BKK.

Jun 2006: Acquired by UPS Airlines as N259UP, and converted to a freighter.

The above photo is the only one we have in our library, taken in May 2008, as it was being towed to the UPS ramp for loading.

The HNL RareBirds™ team extends our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the families of the lost.

UPS Airlines' N635UP

One of two former Qatar Airways 747-8Fs acquired by UPS Airlines, N635UP (c/n 61399, l/n 1535, f/n 635), is making a stop at HNL today. This 747-83QF, still wearing the base livery of Qatar Airways, is flying from SDF as UPS32, and will depart later this morning for SYD as UPS34.

The other 747-8F acquired from Qatar Airways is, N634UP (c/n 37564, l/n 1437, f/n 634), was inducted into service still wearing the base grey Qatar Airways livery as well.

61399's History:

Sep 2017: Delivered to Qatar Airways as A7-BGB.

Mar 2024: Withdrawn from service, purchased by UPS Airlines, and ferried to VCV for storage.

Sep 2024: Inducted into service.

UPS's N301UP

Our March edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to April 2005, and UPS's N301UP (c/n 27239, l/n 580, f/n 301), as it taxies to Runway 8R. This 767-34AFER is pictured above in the original UPS livery.

N301UP was delivered to UPS in October 1995, and continues to fly for UPS.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N888LT Flying For UPS

Asia Pacific Airlines has wet-leased N888LT to UPS for supplemental holiday service. It's flying between BFI, PDX, MHR, and ONT.

UPS Airlines' N681UP

Our April edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 2005, and features UPS Airlines' 747-121SF, N681UP (c/n 19661, l/n 70) seen above taxiing on Taxiway RT.

19661 was originally delivered to Pan American World Airways in August 1970 as N771PA. During its time with Pan Am, it was converted to a freighter (1975), and named "Clipper Donald McKay". In February 1983, it was sold to Flying Tiger Line, re-registered as N819FT. When FedEx Express acquired Flying Tiger in 1989, it was transferred to the former's fleet as N628FE. In May 1991, it was sold to UPS, and re-registered as N681UP, and flew with UPS until November 2007. Sadly, this 747 was scrapped in 2011.

Heavies Taking Off From Runway 26R

With the crazy westerly winds we have been having for the past week and a half, most flights, including widebodies, were taking off from Runway 26R.  Normally, widebodies would still taxi out to Runway 26L ("The Reef Runway") or to Runway 22L during Kona winds.  The video above includes 26R takeoffs from all 3 aircraft types UPS flies to HNL, a KE 747-4B5, HIANG F-22, and an USAF KC-10 just taxiing down 26R to HIK.  The various clips were taken over several days during different times of the day.

UPS 767-34AF With Winglets

UPS has begun to install Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets on its 767-300ER freighter fleet. One of those already fitted has shown up at HNL. N337UP (c/n 37858, l/n 986) flew in as UPS2967 from ONT (via OGG and KOA) and departed HNL for SAN as UPS2968. The winglets are painted the same gray color found on UPS's fleet of MD-11Fs and 747-400Fs.

UPS N293UP

Not rare at HNL, but rare to see on the North Ramp. This UPS MD-11F, N293UP (c/n 48473), seems to need maintenance as there was a dam of absorbent material under the left horizontal stabilizer.

UPS 747-400Fs

UPS has put 747-400Fs on UPS076, which flies from ONT to HNL and HKG, then back to ONT via ANC as UPS075. The other flights are primarily handled by MD-11Fs, and 767-34AERFs.

UPS has eight 747-44AFs that are new builds plus two 747-45EMs. The latter pair were acquired from EVA Air (BR / EVA - Taipei), and N578UP (c/n 27154) has undergone its frieghter conversion, while N579UP (c/n 26062) awaits its freighter conversion.

N578UP is seen above being towed to the UPS ramp, after a spot was cleared so it can be loaded for the HNL-HKG leg. It can also be seen in its EVA colors in this Airliners.net photo link.

ex-Thai Airways' HS-TMF

UPS has acquired HS-TMF (c/n 48418) from Thai Airways International. It is now registered as N260UP. It arrived at HNL yesterday as UPS9500 from ROW (Roswell, NM), and is on it's way to Singapore for freighter conversion.