Most people have never heard of 21 Air — but the packages they order from Amazon and the express shipments moved by DHL often travel on its aircraft. 21 Air is one of the most quietly important cargo carriers in the United States, operating a growing fleet of Boeing 757s and 767s across North America and beyond. And in April 2026, its ownership structure changed significantly — making right now the perfect time to tell its full story.
What Is 21 Air?
21 Air, LLC is an all-cargo airline headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, with its primary operational base at Miami International Airport. The airline operates ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) charters and dedicated contract services using a fleet of Boeing 757s and 767s. Its IATA code is 2I, its ICAO code is CSB, and its call sign is CARGO SOUTH.
As of 2026, 21 Air operates a fleet of 21 aircraft — including seven Boeing 767-300 converted freighters, four Boeing 767-200s, and five Boeing 757s, with additional 757s expected to join the fleet soon. Its major customers include Amazon Air and DHL Express, two of the most powerful logistics companies in the world.
Who Owns 21 Air in 2026?
21 Air is wholly owned by Avia Acquisitions, LLC, which is itself wholly owned by Avia Investments, LLC. Following Cargojet’s exit in April 2026, Avia Investments, LLC is now entirely controlled by James “Jim” Crane — chairman of 21 Air, billionaire owner of the Houston Astros, and one of the most prominent figures in the American logistics and freight industry.
This is the most important recent development in 21 Air’s ownership story. On April 2, 2026, Cargojet Inc. (TSX: CJT) — Canada’s largest cargo airline — officially announced it had entered into an agreement to divest its 25% minority stake in 21 Air. Cargojet CEO Pauline Dhillon stated: “This decision strengthens our focus on our robust domestic network, ACMI and charter operations, while allowing us to deploy capital in areas aligned with Cargojet’s core strengths.” With Cargojet out, Jim Crane now holds effective 100% control of 21 Air through Avia Investments, LLC.
The current CEO of 21 Air is Keith Winters, and the CFO is Olga Guerra.
Ownership and Key Stakeholders Table
| Owner / Party | Role | Stake | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| James “Jim” Crane | Chairman & Controlling Owner | ~100% (post-April 2026) | Billionaire; owner of Houston Astros; acquired control via Avia Investments LLC in 2021 |
| Avia Investments, LLC | Parent Holding Company | 100% owner of Avia Acquisitions LLC | Joint venture controlled by Jim Crane; previously 75/25 with Cargojet |
| Avia Acquisitions, LLC | Direct Parent of 21 Air | 100% owner of 21 Air LLC | Intermediate holding entity under Avia Investments LLC |
| Cargojet Inc. (TSX: CJT) | Former Minority Investor | Exited April 2, 2026 | Previously held 25% of Avia Investments LLC; divested to refocus on Canadian operations |
| Keith Winters | CEO | Management role | Current chief executive leading 21 Air post-Cargojet exit |
| Olga Guerra | CFO | Management role | Chief Financial Officer of 21 Air LLC |
| Adolfo Moreno | Original Founder | Exited 2021 | Founded 21 Air on February 25, 2014; sold to Jim Crane’s group |
| Amazon Air | Key Customer | No ownership stake | Major contract client; 21 Air flies dedicated Amazon cargo routes |
| DHL Express | Key Customer | No ownership stake | 21 Air provides crews for DHL 767 aircraft on contract basis |
The Origin Story: One Freighter and a Frustrated Freight Forwarder
21 Air was founded on February 25, 2014, by Adolfo Moreno — a Miami-based freight executive who had spent years running an airfreight wholesaling business, buying cargo space from other carriers to serve the South American market.
Moreno grew increasingly frustrated with all-cargo carriers that would not customize their services for smaller customers. So he decided to build something better himself. He acquired a single aircraft and rented crews until 21 Air received its own FAA operating certificate, allowing it to fly independently. The company initially operated quasi-scheduled service between the U.S. and Latin America, but the extreme seasonality of that market pushed it toward dedicated contract charters as a more stable model.
The breakthrough moment came in mid-2020, when 21 Air began flying a couple of routes for DHL Express. That relationship grew steadily, and when Amazon came knocking, the airline’s trajectory changed completely.
How Jim Crane Took Control
In 2021, a major ownership transition took place that fundamentally reshaped 21 Air. The airline moved from being owned by Apple Aviation, LLC — a 75/25 split between Adolfo Moreno and former president/CEO Michael Mendez — to being owned by Avia Investments, LLC, a new 75/25 joint venture between James Crane and Cargojet Airways.
Jim Crane is not a typical airline investor. He is best known as the owner of the MLB’s Houston Astros, but his background is deeply rooted in logistics. He founded Eagle Global Logistics (EGL) in 1984 and grew it into a global freight powerhouse before merging it with CEVA Logistics. Crane knows air cargo from the inside out — and 21 Air represented an opportunity to get back into the space with a lean, fast-growing operator positioned right in front of the e-commerce boom.
Under Crane’s ownership, 21 Air has been transformed. The fleet has grown by over 600% since the acquisition, and pilot headcount has grown by 440%. The company secured major long-term contracts with both Amazon and DHL and expanded from a handful of aircraft to a fleet of 21 as of 2026.
Cargojet Exits — and What It Means
The ownership story reached its latest chapter on April 2, 2026, when Cargojet formally announced its exit from 21 Air.
Cargojet originally acquired its 25% stake in August 2021 as a strategic investment to gain insight into the U.S. cargo market. But under new CEO Pauline Dhillon — who took over at the start of 2026 — the company decided to refocus entirely on its core Canadian domestic network and international ACMI operations.
The exit had also been preceded by internal tension. Reports emerged that Dhillon had used Cargojet’s influence to replace 21 Air CEO Tim Strauss — who had joined in late 2024 and departed in February 2026 — with a Cargojet associate, raising concerns about foreign control of a U.S. airline, which is prohibited under U.S. federal law. The Cargojet exit cleanly resolved those concerns. Despite the split, both companies confirmed they would continue to collaborate on select commercial opportunities.
Where 21 Air Is Headed: Boeing 777s and International Growth
With Cargojet out and Jim Crane firmly in control, 21 Air has set an ambitious target for 2026 and beyond.
The airline aims to be certified to operate Boeing 777 freighters — known in aviation circles as the “Big Twin” — by the end of 2026. The 777-300ERSF offers approximately 25% more volume than the 777-200LRF and burns considerably less fuel than older four-engine freighters. Certification requires a rigorous FAA approval process including manual updates, training programs, maintenance procedures, and proving flights.
This expansion represents a significant leap for 21 Air — from a regional ACMI operator into the international long-haul cargo market. With Jim Crane’s financial backing, strong relationships with Amazon and DHL, and a fleet that has grown 600% since 2021, the airline is positioning itself to compete on a much larger global stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who owns 21 Air in 2026?
21 Air is owned by James “Jim” Crane through Avia Investments, LLC, which controls Avia Acquisitions, LLC — the direct parent of 21 Air LLC.
Q2. Who founded 21 Air and when?
21 Air was founded by Adolfo Moreno on February 25, 2014, as a virtual cargo carrier based in Miami, Florida.
Q3. Did Cargojet own a part of 21 Air?
Yes. Cargojet held a 25% stake in Avia Investments, LLC from August 2021 until divesting it on April 2, 2026.
Q4. Who is the current CEO of 21 Air?
Keith Winters serves as the current CEO of 21 Air, with Olga Guerra as CFO, as of 2026.
Q5. Does Amazon own 21 Air?
No. Amazon is a major contract customer of 21 Air, not an owner. 21 Air is privately owned by Jim Crane’s holding companies.
Q6. Where is 21 Air headquartered?
21 Air is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, with its primary operational base at Miami International Airport.
Q7. How big is 21 Air’s fleet in 2026?
21 Air operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, including Boeing 767-300s, 767-200s, and 757s, with more aircraft expected to join the fleet soon.
Q8. What are 21 Air’s expansion plans for 2026?
21 Air is targeting Boeing 777 freighter certification by end of 2026, aiming to enter the international long-haul cargo market with significantly larger aircraft.
21 Air is owned by James “Jim” Crane through Avia Investments, LLC and its subsidiary Avia Acquisitions, LLC, which holds 100% of 21 Air LLC. Cargojet — which previously held a 25% stake — formally exited the investment on April 2, 2026. The airline was originally founded on February 25, 2014, by Adolfo Moreno as a virtual carrier in Miami, and was acquired by Crane’s group in 2021 in a deal that transformed it from a small regional operator into a significant ACMI player flying for Amazon and DHL with a fleet of 21 aircraft.
Under current CEO Keith Winters, 21 Air is now targeting Boeing 777 certification by end of 2026 — a move that would take it into the international long-haul cargo market for the first time.