Inspections and repairs for MD-11 cargo jets under a no-fly ban could take much longer than expected, leaving FedEx, UPS and Western Global Airlines short of widebody capacity during the peak shipping season, reports New York's FreightWaves.

Western Global Airlines said it has furloughed many employees, including pilots, effective November 22, because of the extended time needed for safety checks mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The carrier, based in Estero, Florida, is the most impacted of the three operators. UPS and FedEx had 26 and 25 active MD-11s at the time of the accident, while Western Global had six MD-11s and three Boeing 747-400 freighters.

The grounding follows the November 4 crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky, when the engine separated from the left wing during takeoff, causing a fire and killing 14 people.

Boeing initially anticipated a noninvasive inspection protocol, but later advised that more invasive checks, repairs and parts replacements would be required, resulting in an undetermined grounding period.

FedEx CFO John Dietrich had suggested inspections would be quick, but National Transportation Safety Board investigators later found fatigue cracks in a structural component attaching the engine to the wing.

Western Global said the situation threatens its survival and leaves no choice but to reduce its workforce. The airline has 147 pilots and previously survived bankruptcy two years ago.

Boeing said it remains in close contact with operators and the FAA to provide technical support. FedEx and UPS have implemented contingency plans, including consolidating flights, contracting partners and shifting some shipments to ground networks.

UPS has engaged Cargojet to operate Boeing 757-200 freighters and Amerijet to fly at least one Boeing 767 on domestic routes, though both aircraft are smaller than the MD-11.