Greensboro, N.C. – North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air is preparing to step up to a larger aircraft platform, targeting Boeing 777 freighters with the goal to expand into the global long-haul cargo market. It is accompanied by a change in leadership with Tim Strauss succeeded by Keith Winters as CEO, and a strategic shift in ownership, as Cargojet exits its 25% stake, placing Jim Crane in primary control, which initiates a new era for the fast-growing airline.
21 Air was founded in 2014 by Adolfo Moreno and has grown from a virtual carrier into a significant participant in the ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and charter sectors. Under the leadership of Tim Strauss, who served as CEO from late 2024 until February 2026, the airline scaled its operations, securing major clients including Amazon Air, DHL, and LATAM Cargo. The company currently operates a fleet of 16 aircraft, including seven Boeing 767-300 converted freighters, four 767-200s, and five 757s. Additional 757 aircraft are expected to join the fleet soon.
The planned acquisition of Boeing 777 freighters – often dubbed the “Big Twin” in aviation circles – represents a significant leap in capability for the Greensboro-based carrier. The 777-300ERSF offers approximately 25% more volume than the 777-200LRF and burns considerably less fuel than older four-engine freighters such as the Boeing 747-400. With a structural payload of up to 222,000 pounds, the aircraft is designed for round-the-world operations, enabling carriers to transport more cargo while improving fuel efficiency per sector.
“Large freighters open the door to long-haul international routes and higher revenue streams,” said Jim Crane, billionaire founder and chairman of Crane Worldwide Logistics, which owns a controlling stake in 21 Air. “The revenue base on those 777s is probably triple that of the planes we’re running now.”
Crane, who also owns the Houston Astros baseball team, installed Keith Winters, a longtime confidant and former CEO of Crane Worldwide Logistics, as interim CEO of 21 Air. Winters, tasked with building out a new executive team, succeeds Strauss, who is consulting with the airline through June. The leadership change follows the exit of Canadian investor Cargojet, which is selling its 25% stake in 21 Air. Crane emphasized that Cargojet’s divestment is unrelated to the leadership transition, noting it is a strategic move to avoid union conflicts with pilots over an expiring labor agreement.
Cargojet will continue to collaborate with 21 Air on a transactional basis, providing pilot training, simulator services, and aircraft leasing as needed. “We’ll cooperate when necessary, but 21 Air is under full U.S. control, as required by federal regulations,” Crane said, pointing to U.S. ownership rules that require the airline to be managed by American citizens with no more than 25% foreign voting ownership.
The airline’s leadership and ownership structure, Crane noted, positions 21 Air to respond quickly to market opportunities. Unlike private equity-owned carriers, 21 Air can make swift operational decisions without navigating multiple layers of management, a factor Crane credits with attracting major express delivery customers.
Looking ahead, the airline aims to be certified to operate 777 freighters by the end of 2026. This process involves rigorous FAA approval, including updates to manuals, training programs, maintenance procedures, aircraft conformity inspections, proving flights, and pilot training. Industry analysts suggest that 21 Air could source the aircraft through various channels, including subleasing from DHL’s Mammoth Freighters conversion program or from third-party lessors.
The expansion to 777s reflects 21 Air’s ambition to capture a larger share of the international cargo market. Analysts say the move aligns with broader industry trends, as demand for widebody freighters remains strong amid ongoing supply chain pressures. The transition also opens potential for charter services for Crane Worldwide Logistics’ global customers, further diversifying the airline’s revenue streams.
“Our mission is to deliver the highest quality air cargo solutions,” 21 Air stated in company guidelines. “We remain committed to constant improvement and competitive pricing as we scale operations globally.”
With an experienced interim leadership team in place, a strategic aircraft acquisition plan, and the backing of an owner familiar with the logistics and air cargo sectors, 21 Air is positioning itself to become a serious competitor in the global air freight market. The next chapter for the Greensboro-based airline appears set to take it from regional loops to intercontinental logistics, leveraging speed, agility, and increasingly capable aircraft to meet growing demand.
