In response to a tragic crash in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this week that claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals, FedEx and UPS have both announced a temporary halt to operations involving their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes.

UPS disclosed that MD-11s represent roughly 9% of its airline fleet, as stated in a brief announcement. “The grounding is effective immediately, following the proactive advice from the aircraft’s manufacturer,” the statement read.

Emphasizing their commitment to safety, the company declared, “Nothing is more crucial to us than ensuring the safety of our employees and the communities we serve.”

FedEx, in communication with The Hill, confirmed it is also suspending its MD-11 operations. This decision comes as they engage in a comprehensive safety review based on the manufacturer’s guidance.

The company reassured stakeholders by stating, “We are swiftly activating contingency plans within our air-ground network to reduce any potential disruptions. Our teams remain dedicated to maintaining the highest safety and service standards for both our customers and team members.”

Boeing, the manufacturer of the MD-11 aircraft, made this recommendation to FedEx and UPS “in an abundance of caution and we will continue coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] on this matter.”

“Boeing’s Safety Review Board assessed all available information and concluded further engineering analysis was needed,” Boeing officials told The Hill. “We recommended temporarily pausing fleet operations, so the analysis and any necessary corrective actions could be completed.”

The aviation accident at the UPS Worldport, located at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killed a dozen people, including one child, on Tuesday. Just after takeoff, a UPS cargo plane’s left wing caught on fire and an engine fell off just before it crashed and exploded, officials revealed.

The investigation is ongoing.

The incident is expected to delay shipping, though experts told the Associated Press that the impact should be lessened before peak holiday season.

“I understand the circumstance and will gladly receive it when it arrives,” Tom Goldsby, professor of supply chain management at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, told the AP. “People and businesses don’t have a lot of understanding (about the supply chain).”

He added, “We just don’t expect our logistics operations to have a calamity or even a bad day.″