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UPS Airlines

Updated: Wikipedia source

UPS Airlines

UPS Airlines is a major American cargo airline based in Louisville, Kentucky. One of the largest cargo airlines worldwide in terms of freight volume flown, UPS Airlines flies to 815 destinations worldwide. It has been a wholly owned subsidiary of United Parcel Service since its launch in 1988. In line with passenger airlines, UPS Airlines operates under the hub-and-spoke model. The airline's primary hub in the United States is at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, where it built a 5,200,000 square foot facility known as UPS Worldport. In addition to Worldport, UPS has several secondary hubs across the United States and international hubs in Canada, China, England, Germany, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. The pilots of UPS Airlines are represented by the Independent Pilots Association.

Infobox

IATA
IATA ICAO Call sign 5X UPS UPS
Founded
July 13, 1988; 37 years ago (July 13, 1988)(successor to UPS air cargo that began in 1929; 96 years ago (1929))
AOC #
IPXA097B
Hubs
mw- Worldport LouisvilleAsia-Pacific Clark Hong Kong Kuala Lumpur–International Shanghai–Pudong ShenzhenCanada Hamilton (ON)Caribbean San JuanEurope Cologne/Bonn East Midlands (England)United States Anchorage Columbia (SC) Chicago–Rockford Dallas/Fort Worth Miami Ontario (CA) Philadelphia Seattle–Boeing
Fleet size
292 owned210 leased or chartered
Destinations
815 (400 domestic, 415 international)
Parent company
United Parcel Service Inc
Headquarters
Louisville, Kentucky, US
Key people
Jim Joseph (President)
Employees
26,328
Website
www.ups.com

Tables

UPS Airlines fleet · Fleet › Current fleet
Airbus A300-600RF
Airbus A300-600RF
Aircraft
Airbus A300-600RF
In service
52
Orders
—
Notes
Retrofitted with new flight-deck avionics.Older aircraft to be retired.
Boeing 747-400F
Boeing 747-400F
Aircraft
Boeing 747-400F
In service
11
Orders
—
Boeing 747-400BCF
Boeing 747-400BCF
Aircraft
Boeing 747-400BCF
In service
2
Orders
—
Boeing 747-8F
Boeing 747-8F
Aircraft
Boeing 747-8F
In service
30
Orders
—
Notes
Largest operator.
Boeing 757-200PF
Boeing 757-200PF
Aircraft
Boeing 757-200PF
In service
75
Orders
—
Notes
Launch customer.
Boeing 767-300F
Boeing 767-300F
Aircraft
Boeing 767-300F
In service
94
Orders
15
Notes
Launch customer.Deliveries until 2027.
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
In service
28
Orders
—
Notes
To be retired.Including N262UP, the last MD-11 ever built.One crashed as Flight 2976, and one written off as Flight 61.
Total
Total
Aircraft
Total
In service
292
Orders
15
Aircraft
In service
Orders
Notes
Airbus A300-600RF
52
—
Retrofitted with new flight-deck avionics.Older aircraft to be retired.
Boeing 747-400F
11
—
Boeing 747-400BCF
2
—
Boeing 747-8F
30
—
Largest operator.
Boeing 757-200PF
75
—
Launch customer.
Boeing 767-300F
94
15
Launch customer.Deliveries until 2027.
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
28
—
To be retired.Including N262UP, the last MD-11 ever built.One crashed as Flight 2976, and one written off as Flight 61.
Total
292
15
· Fleet › Historical fleet
Boeing 727-100/QF
Boeing 727-100/QF
Aircraft
Boeing 727-100/QF
Total
51
Introduce
1991
Retired
2007
Replaced by
Boeing 757-200PF
Remarks
Last commercial flight was in August 2007.
Boeing 727-200C/QC
Boeing 727-200C/QC
Aircraft
Boeing 727-200C/QC
Total
8
Introduce
1988
Boeing 747-100F
Boeing 747-100F
Aircraft
Boeing 747-100F
Total
10
Introduce
1971
Retired
2008
Replaced by
Boeing 747-400FMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Boeing 747-200F
Boeing 747-200F
Aircraft
Boeing 747-200F
Total
8
Introduce
1971
Retired
2009
Replaced by
Boeing 747-400FMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Remarks
UPS received its first of its type on January 15, 1971.
Douglas DC-8-60F/70F
Douglas DC-8-60F/70F
Aircraft
Douglas DC-8-60F/70F
Total
53
Introduce
1959
Retired
2009
Replaced by
Boeing 747-400FBoeing 757-200PFMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Remarks
Last commercial flight was on May 11, 2009.One destroyed by fire as Flight 1307.
Aircraft
Total
Introduce
Retired
Replaced by
Remarks
Boeing 727-100/QF
51
1991
2007
Boeing 757-200PF
Last commercial flight was in August 2007.
Boeing 727-200C/QC
8
1988
Boeing 747-100F
10
1971
2008
Boeing 747-400FMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Boeing 747-200F
8
1971
2009
Boeing 747-400FMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
UPS received its first of its type on January 15, 1971.
Douglas DC-8-60F/70F
53
1959
2009
Boeing 747-400FBoeing 757-200PFMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Last commercial flight was on May 11, 2009.One destroyed by fire as Flight 1307.
· Accidents and incidents
1307
1307
Flight number
1307
Date
02/07/2006
Registration
N748UP
Aircraft type
Douglas DC-8-71F
Fatalities/Occupants
0/3
Notes
Destroyed by fire at Philadelphia International Airport from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Just before landing the crew reported a smoke detector activated in the cargo hold. After landing, the cargo hold of the aircraft caught fire. The source of the fire was never found.
6
6
Flight number
6
Date
09/03/2010
Registration
N571UP
Aircraft type
Boeing 747-44AF
Fatalities/Occupants
2/2
Notes
Crashed near the Dubai Silicon Oasis at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time after declaring an emergency fifty minutes after takeoff due to fire in main cargo hold. Both crew members were killed, the first such casualties in UPS Airlines' history. NTSB reports the fire was started from the combustion of lithium-ion batteries on the main cargo deck, which quickly spread to all cargo despite depressurization of the aircraft.
1354
1354
Flight number
1354
Date
08/14/2013
Registration
N155UP
Aircraft type
Airbus A300F4-622R
Fatalities/Occupants
2/2
Notes
Crashed in an open field on approach to Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, killing both the captain and first officer. NTSB report cites pilot error as cause to the crash. Neither crew member had received adequate rest before the flight and missed a step in programing the FMC for the approach to the runway.
61
61
Flight number
61
Date
06/06/2016
Registration
N277UP
Aircraft type
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Fatalities/Occupants
0/4
Notes
Suffered a runway excursion and nose gear collapse in a takeoff accident at Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN). Takeoff from runway 33L was aborted and the aircraft continued past the end of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the no. 1 and 3 engines contacted the grass. The flight was bound for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Aircraft was written off.
2976
2976
Flight number
2976
Date
11/04/2025
Registration
N259UP
Aircraft type
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Fatalities/Occupants
3/3, plus at least 9 ground casualties
Notes
Crashed on takeoff on November 4, 2025 at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time. The crash occurred about half a mile south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Flight number
Date
Registration
Aircraft type
Fatalities/Occupants
Notes
Ref.
1307
02/07/2006
N748UP
Douglas DC-8-71F
0/3
Destroyed by fire at Philadelphia International Airport from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Just before landing the crew reported a smoke detector activated in the cargo hold. After landing, the cargo hold of the aircraft caught fire. The source of the fire was never found.
6
09/03/2010
N571UP
Boeing 747-44AF
2/2
Crashed near the Dubai Silicon Oasis at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time after declaring an emergency fifty minutes after takeoff due to fire in main cargo hold. Both crew members were killed, the first such casualties in UPS Airlines' history. NTSB reports the fire was started from the combustion of lithium-ion batteries on the main cargo deck, which quickly spread to all cargo despite depressurization of the aircraft.
1354
08/14/2013
N155UP
Airbus A300F4-622R
2/2
Crashed in an open field on approach to Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, killing both the captain and first officer. NTSB report cites pilot error as cause to the crash. Neither crew member had received adequate rest before the flight and missed a step in programing the FMC for the approach to the runway.
61
06/06/2016
N277UP
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
0/4
Suffered a runway excursion and nose gear collapse in a takeoff accident at Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN). Takeoff from runway 33L was aborted and the aircraft continued past the end of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the no. 1 and 3 engines contacted the grass. The flight was bound for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Aircraft was written off.
2976
11/04/2025
N259UP
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
3/3, plus at least 9 ground casualties
Crashed on takeoff on November 4, 2025 at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time. The crash occurred about half a mile south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

References

  1. av-info.faa.gov
    https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=IPXA&OPER_FAR=121&OPER_NAME=UNITED+PARCEL+SERVICE+CO
  2. finance.yahoo.com
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ups-expands-asia-hub-clark-133600732.html#:~:text=UPS%20Expands%20in%20Asia%20With%20Hub%20at%20Clark%20Airport%20in%20the%20Philippines
  3. "UPS Air Operations Facts - UPS Pressroom"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150512180724/http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Fact+Sheets/UPS+Air+Operations+Facts
  4. "Welcome to UPS Malaysia"
    https://www.ups.com/content/my/en/index.jsx?WT.svl=BrndMrk
  5. "UPS and Shanghai Announce First-Ever U.S. Air Hub in China"
    https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070412005097/en/UPS-Shanghai-Announce-First-Ever-U.S.-Air-Hub
  6. "UPS launches Shenzhen flights"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110724142633/http://www.ups.com/content/cn/en/about/news/press_releases/02_08_2010_CN.html
  7. "fact sheets"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240130234051/https://about.ups.com/content/dam/upsstories/assets/fact-sheets/airlines-fact-sheets/Air%20Operations%20Facts_06302023.pdf
  8. "Special Delivery: UPS Moving Ancient Terra Cotta Army." United Parcel Service. May 5, 2008. Retrieved on June 19, 2010.
    http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Press+Releases/Archive/2008/Q2/Special+Delivery%3A+UPS+Moving+Ancient+Terra+Cotta+Army
  9. UPS Pressroom
    https://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=FactSheets&id=1426321563187-193
  10. AeroSavvy
    https://aerosavvy.com/ups-worldport/
  11. "1918 - UPS Pressroom"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120519092716/http://www.pressroom.ups.com/About+UPS/Company+History/1918
  12. "1975 - UPS Pressroom"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120518052324/http://www.pressroom.ups.com/About+UPS/Company+History/1975
  13. "Stan's WIngs | U | United Parcel Service Captain's Hat Badge (1st issue)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141120073521/http://www.stanwing.com/United%20Parcel_01-Service%20Captain%20Hat%20Badge%201st%20Issue
  14. www.dudesdownunder.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141004173446/http://www.dudesdownunder.com/orionair.html
  15. "UPS Timeline"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090705142815/http://pressroom.ups.com/Fact+Sheets/UPS+Timeline
  16. www.inboundlogistics.com
    http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/cargo-crossroads-of-the-world-alaska/
  17. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2016/12/09/anchorage-airport-swarms-presents-jumbo-jets-holidays-near/95139702/
  18. "UPS Pressroom"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20021106051029/http://pressroom.ups.com/pressreleases/archives/archive/0,1363,4170,00.html
  19. "UPS Pressroom"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20021106044358/http://pressroom.ups.com/pressreleases/archives/archive/0,1363,3677,00.html
  20. "UPS Pressroom"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20021220071307/http://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressreleases/archives/archive/0,1363,3825,00.html
  21. "UPS Places Order for 10 Airbus A380 Freighters"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20061209225627/http://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressreleases/archives/archive/0,1363,4503,00.html
  22. "Press Release"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070209012140/http://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressreleases/archives/archive/0,1363,4858,00.html
  23. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/business/worldbusiness/08airbus.html
  24. "UPS Starts Pilot Furlough Process"
    http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Press+Releases/Archive/2010/Q1/UPS+Starts+Pilot+Furlough+Process
  25. "UPS Airlines Information"
    http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo/ups.html
  26. "UPS Pilots Ratify New Contract"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201110032652/https://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=PressReleases&id=1472655018351-328
  27. News Powered by Cision
    http://news.cision.com/ups/r/ups-767-fleet-to-get-new-look---ups-debuts-new-winglets-to-767-aircraft-to-save-fuel-and-reduce-emis,c9415931
  28. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-ups-idUSKCN12R1UX
  29. MediaRoom
    http://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=129795
  30. Boeing Commercial
    http://www.boeing.com/commercial/customers/ups/747-8-767-order.page
  31. Flightglobal.com
    https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ups-expands-nonstop-to-dubai-using-747-8f-445554/
  32. Boeing Commercial
    https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2021-12-21-Boeing-Announces-UPS-Purchase-of-19-767-Freighters
  33. Boeing Commercial
    https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2022-08-29-Boeing-Announces-UPS-Purchase-of-Eight-Additional-767s
  34. aerotinehub
    https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/ups-to-introduce-second-hand-boeing-747-8fs-in-2024
  35. Aviation Week Network
    https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/fedex-ups-call-time-md-11-fleets
  36. FreightWaves
    https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ups-begins-phaseout-of-older-md-11-cargo-jets
  37. UPS Pressroom
    https://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=FactSheets&id=1426321563773-779
  38. "Columbia Metropolitan Airport"
    https://www.airports-worldwide.com/usa/south_carolina/columbia_metropolitan_south_carolina.php
  39. richlandcountysc.com
    http://richlandcountysc.com/Community-Data/Transportation/Airports
  40. thescxchange.com
    https://www.thescxchange.com/articles/9220-ups-to-build-automated-sorting-hub-at-hong-kong-airport
  41. about.ups.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240802230414/https://about.ups.com/content/dam/upsstories/assets/fact-sheets/airlines-fact-sheets/UPS%20Aircraft%20Fleet%20fact%20sheet_073124.pdf
  42. AirlineGeeks.com
    https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/09/23/ups-announces-successful-test-flight-of-a300-with-flight-deck-upgrades/
  43. www.airbus.com
    https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/news/2021-02-first-ups-a300-facelift-completed
  44. www.boeing.com
    https://www.boeing.com/content/theboeingcompany/us/en/commercial
  45. "UPS Statement on Aircraft Accident"
    https://about.ups.com/us/en/newsroom/statements/ups-statement-on-aircraft-accident.html#:~:text=At%20approximately%205%3A20%20PM,in%20an%20accident%20in%20Louisville.
  46. Traveller
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  47. Science ABC
    https://www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners/why-airplanes-are-usually-white-in-color.html
  48. UPI
    https://www.upi.com/Business_News/2016/10/27/UPS-places-order-for-14-new-Boeing-747-8-air-freighters/7271477588692/
  49. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    http://www.ajc.com/business/ups-launches-new-campaign-slogan/z1KMdzXA6thQqRnMb1I0RL/
  50. "UPS Hot Spares Program - Gear Patrol"
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  51. Getting Air Traffic Under Control, Time Magazine, October 19, 2009, p. Global 8
  52. "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F N748UP Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL)"
    http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060208-0
  53. "Statement on Aircraft Incident Archived 2010-09-06 at the Wayback Machine." United Parcel Service. September 3, 2010. R
    http://www.ups.com/pressroom/us/press_releases/press_release/Press+Releases/Current+Press+Releases/ci.Statement+on+Aircraft+Incident.syndication
  54. "Plane crashes near Dubai airport – Middle East"
    http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/09/2010931811367644.html
  55. aviation-safety.net
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  56. "[1]." United Parcel Service. August 14, 2013. Retrieved on August 14, 2013.
    http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Press+Releases/Current+Press+Releases/Statement+on+UPS+Flight+1354
  57. aviation-safety.net
    http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20130814-0
  58. "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N277UP Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN)"
    https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20160606-0
  59. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ups-plane-crash-louisville-airport-rcna241998
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