UPS Inc. is offering pilots an early retirement package to reduce payroll amid declining package volumes.

The integrated parcel and logistics giant confirmed Thursday it wants to trim senior pilots from its ranks, a day after communicating with the pilot group.

“At UPS, we regularly assess our operations and make adjustments to better serve our customers. As part of our effort to efficiently manage our airline, we are offering a voluntary separation benefit to eligible UPS pilots,” UPS (NYSE: UPS) said in an emailed statement. “Those who choose to accept the offer will receive a comprehensive compensation package that includes cash and healthcare benefits.”

UPS did not disclose specific details of the offer.

UPS reduced its flight activity in July by 14% from the prior month, and flight hours were down 13% year over year, according to tracking data compiled by Morgan Stanley. 

UPS reported second-quarter domestic next-day air revenue fell 9.4% on a 12% drop in volume. Management attributed a large chunk of the domestic decline to customers trading down to UPS’ lower-cost ground network. 

Within the United States, UPS is adjusting package flows to maximize utilization of Next Day Air flights, which enables it to reduce block hours — time in flight and taxiing at the airport — in the two-day operation. By filling overnight flights from its Worldport hub in Louisville, Kentucky, it has reduced the need to operate as many daytime flights. CFO Brian Newman said the changes resulted in domestic flight hours that were 6.5% lower versus the 2022 quarter.

UPS began retiring its fleet of older MD-11 aircraft in January. A total of 42 tri-jet freighters will be discharged over the next few years and replaced by 28 new Boeing 767 medium widebody aircraft, the first six of which are scheduled for delivery this year. The 767s offer lower operating costs, with better reliability and fewer emissions.

Louisville TV station WDRB was first to report the UPS effort to downsize crew levels at its cargo airline. It said UPS wants to eliminate 167 pilots.

The last time UPS downsized its pilot workforce in 2010, it furloughed 109 pilots. 

It’s unclear how many long-tenured, senior captains there are at UPS Airlines who qualify for the offer. 

More FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

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