Global Crossing Airlines
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGlobal Crossing Airlines, operating as GlobalX Airlines, is a U.S. Part 121 carrier specializing in scheduled, charter, cargo, and other contracted airlift services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Global Crossing Airlines, Inc., trading operationally under the GlobalX Airlines name, is an American airline headquartered in Miami, Florida. It operates under the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Part 121 framework and is authorized to conduct domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. Rather than presenting itself primarily as a conventional mass-market network airline, GlobalX has built its business around flexible airlift: ad hoc passenger charters, scheduled services, cargo movements, and contract flying for institutions, travel operators, sports organizations, and government clients. The company was founded in 2018 by Ed Wegel, an airline executive who had previously been involved in the revival of Eastern Air Lines. Its development included a 2020 merger and spin-out transaction involving Canada Jetlines, an ultra-low-cost airline based in Mississauga, Ontario. That transaction formed part of GlobalX's effort to establish an operating platform and expand its access to aircraft and commercial opportunities. GlobalX has operated across a broad geographic footprint, including routes and charter missions within the United States and services connecting the country with Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Its business model allows it to combine recurring scheduled flying with one-off or seasonal contracts. This flexibility has supported passenger charter work, cargo airlift, and specialized transportation for organizations whose requirements may not fit the schedules or fleet structures of larger scheduled carriers. In late 2020, the company established CubaX, a tour-operator business connected with non-stop Miami–Havana travel. CubaX began arranging daily charter flights in 2021 using GlobalX aircraft on behalf of Havana Air, adding Cuba-related charter operations to the airline's portfolio. Government contract flying became a major and highly visible part of GlobalX's activities in 2024 and 2025, when the airline began operating deportation and migrant-transfer flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Reference material describes GlobalX as handling more than half of such flights during those years and as operating a substantial share of deportation-related movements. The work included domestic transfers and international deportations, including flights involving Brazil, Honduras, and El Salvador. These operations generated substantial public criticism concerning the treatment of detainees, aircraft conditions, passenger restraint procedures, judicial orders, and transparency around government-contracted aviation. The airline's deportation work also exposed it to operational, political, legal, and reputational scrutiny. A January 2025 flight to Brazil was reported to have encountered repeated technical problems, defective air conditioning, an unscheduled landing, and heat-related medical incidents among shackled passengers. Brazilian officials characterized the treatment as unacceptable and degrading. In March 2025, GlobalX aircraft were used in flights transporting Venezuelan nationals through Honduras to El Salvador, including a flight that proceeded despite a federal judge's blocking order. Flight attendants subsequently raised concerns about emergency evacuation procedures when passengers were restrained. In addition to controversy surrounding government contracts, GlobalX reported a cybersecurity incident in 2025 after its website was defaced and alleged attackers claimed access to flight records and passenger manifests. The company later filed a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, without publicly confirming or denying every allegation concerning data exposure. GlobalX has also pursued commercial partnerships, including a January 2025 electronic interline arrangement with United Airlines for cargo capacity on the Chicago–San Juan route through Airblox. Global Crossing Airlines remains an active U.S. charter and contract airline whose identity is closely associated with operational flexibility. Its portfolio spans passenger, cargo, scheduled, supplemental, and government-contracted flying, while its public profile has increasingly been shaped by debate over its role in immigration-enforcement transportation.
History
Global Crossing Airlines was founded in 2018 by Ed Wegel, who had earlier participated in the revival of Eastern Air Lines. The company was created as a U.S. airline intended to provide flexible passenger and cargo capacity rather than operate solely as a traditional scheduled network carrier. It is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and operates under Part 121 authority, covering domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. A significant early corporate development came in 2020, when GlobalX completed a merger and spin-out transaction with Canada Jetlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier based in Mississauga, Ontario. The transaction helped establish the airline's operating platform as it developed its own charter and airlift activities. Also in late 2020, GlobalX formed CubaX, a tour operator focused on travel between the United States and Cuba. Beginning in 2021, CubaX arranged daily charter flights from Miami to Havana using GlobalX aircraft on behalf of Havana Air. This activity complemented GlobalX's broader strategy of serving specialized travel markets through charter rather than relying exclusively on regularly scheduled routes. GlobalX's operating scope expanded across the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Its work has included scheduled passenger operations, ad hoc passenger charters, cargo airlift, and supplemental transportation for commercial, institutional, sports, and government customers. The airline's charter model gives it the ability to provide aircraft and crews for defined missions, seasonal programs, and transportation requirements that may not align with standard airline timetables. Beginning in 2024, GlobalX became a prominent operator of deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It reportedly handled more than half of U.S. deportation flights during 2024 and 2025 and also operated domestic transfer flights involving migrants in immigration custody. Immigration attorneys and advocates criticized the opacity and logistical consequences of these transfers, arguing that frequent movements made it difficult to locate and communicate with clients. The government's use of GlobalX aircraft produced several high-profile controversies in 2025. A January flight carrying shackled deportees from the United States to Brazil reportedly encountered repeated technical difficulties, including problems taking off, malfunctioning air conditioning, and an unscheduled landing. Several passengers reportedly fainted in hot conditions. Brazilian ministers described the treatment as unacceptable and degrading, creating diplomatic tension between Brazil and the United States. In March, GlobalX aircraft were used to move Venezuelan detainees from a detention facility in Texas through Honduras to El Salvador. The passengers were subsequently transferred to Salvadoran custody and imprisonment. Another flight carrying Venezuelans to El Salvador reportedly operated despite a federal judge's order blocking it, intensifying legal and political criticism. Subsequent reporting also quoted flight attendants who questioned how an emergency evacuation could be carried out safely when passengers were restrained. The controversy affected people associated with the airline. In April 2025, executive chairman Chris Jamroz resigned from the board of the Royal Ontario Museum after media attention focused on his links to the deportation operations. GlobalX's government work also became the subject of broader reporting about the airline's other charter customers, including sports and entertainment-related transportation. In May 2025, the airline faced a separate cybersecurity incident. Its website was defaced, and people claiming affiliation with Anonymous provided flight records and passenger manifests to journalists. The reported data covered flights between January 19 and May 1, 2025. GlobalX later filed a report with the SEC about the attack, while not confirming or denying every claim concerning unauthorized access or data leakage. Alongside these controversies, GlobalX continued developing commercial partnerships. In January 2025 it announced an electronic interline agreement with United Airlines for cargo capacity on the Chicago–San Juan route using the Airblox platform. The arrangement illustrated the airline's continued emphasis on flexible cargo and contract opportunities. Global Crossing Airlines remains active as a Miami-based U.S. charter and contract carrier with passenger, cargo, scheduled, supplemental, and government-related operations.
- 2025
Commercial cargo interline agreement with United Airlines
[1]GlobalX announced an electronic interline arrangement with United Airlines for cargo space between Chicago and San Juan through Airblox.
- 2024
GlobalX begins ICE deportation flights
[1]GlobalX began operating deportation and migrant-transfer flights under contracts associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- 2021
CubaX charter operations begin
[1]CubaX began arranging daily Miami–Havana charter flights using GlobalX aircraft for Havana Air.
- 2020
Merger and spin-out with Canada Jetlines
[1]GlobalX completed a merger and spin-out transaction involving Canada Jetlines.
- 2020
CubaX is established
[1]The company formed CubaX as a tour operator serving travel between Miami and Havana.
- 2018
Global Crossing Airlines is founded
[1]Ed Wegel founded the airline in the United States, establishing the business that later operated under the GlobalX Airlines name.
Products and positioning
A flexible U.S. Part 121 charter and contract airline serving passenger, cargo, scheduled, supplemental, and specialized government transportation needs.
Passenger aviation
Scheduled passenger services
GlobalX operates scheduled passenger flying alongside its charter activities. Its geographic scope includes the United States and international destinations in the Caribbean, Latin America, and other markets. Scheduled operations form one part of a broader platform that also provides supplemental and contract airlift.
Charter aviation
Passenger charter services
The airline provides ad hoc and recurring passenger charters for travel operators, institutions, sports organizations, and other customers. Charter work allows GlobalX to deploy aircraft for specific missions, seasonal travel programs, and routes that may not support conventional scheduled service.
Air cargo
Cargo airlift
GlobalX provides cargo transportation and supplemental airlift. Its cargo activities include contracted capacity and commercial arrangements, including the electronic interline agreement announced with United Airlines for Chicago–San Juan cargo space.
Tour operator and charter travel · 2020
CubaX
CubaX is a tour-operator business formed by GlobalX in late 2020. It arranged Miami–Havana travel and began supporting daily charter flights in 2021 using GlobalX aircraft on behalf of Havana Air.
Government aviation services · 2024
Government-contracted immigration airlift
GlobalX operates domestic migrant-transfer and international deportation flights under government contracts, including work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This line of business has become one of the airline's most prominent and controversial activities.
Controversies
2025
Brazil deportation-flight conditions
A January 2025 GlobalX flight carrying shackled deportees to Brazil reportedly suffered technical problems, air-conditioning failure, an unscheduled landing, and heat-related fainting. Brazilian officials criticized the treatment as unacceptable and degrading.
2025
Venezuelan deportation flights to El Salvador
GlobalX aircraft transported Venezuelan detainees from Texas through Honduras to El Salvador. One reported flight proceeded despite a federal judge's order blocking it, prompting legal and political controversy.
2025
Safety concerns over restrained passengers
Flight attendants expressed concern about emergency evacuation procedures on detainee flights when passengers were handcuffed and shackled.
2025
Cybersecurity attack and alleged manifest exposure
GlobalX's website was defaced and alleged attackers claimed access to flight records and passenger manifests. The airline reported the incident to the SEC but did not confirm or deny all claims about data exposure.
Brand decisions
2025
Launch electronic cargo interline arrangement with United AirlinesOtherBackground
GlobalX pursued technology-enabled partnerships to sell or coordinate cargo capacity beyond its own direct network.
Action taken
The airline announced an electronic interline agreement with United Airlines for cargo space on the Chicago–San Juan route through Airblox.
Aftermath
The agreement expanded GlobalX's commercial cargo connectivity, although no financial results were provided in the reference material.
2024
Enter ICE deportation and migrant-transfer flyingStrategyBackground
The airline's flexible charter and supplemental operating model enabled it to pursue government-contracted transportation work.
Action taken
GlobalX began operating deportation and domestic migrant-transfer flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Aftermath
The work became a major source of public visibility and controversy, with criticism concerning passenger treatment, transparency, safety, and compliance with court orders.
2020
Form CubaX to develop Cuba-related charter travelStrategyBackground
GlobalX sought to expand beyond core airline operations and address demand for organized travel between the United States and Cuba.
Action taken
The company formed CubaX as a tour operator focused on Miami–Havana travel.
Aftermath
CubaX began arranging daily charter flights using GlobalX aircraft for Havana Air in 2021.
Recent events
Reported
Global Crossing Airlines partners with Honor Flight South Florida[2]
Global Crossing Airlines announced that it partnered with Honor Flight South Florida as its airline partner as the organization resumed operations after the pandemic. The first Honor Flight departed Miami International on September 12, 2021, carrying 71 veterans.
Reported
Global Crossing Airlines completes acquisition of Flugy[3]
Global Crossing Airlines, also referred to as GlobalX, announced that it had completed its acquisition of Flugy, a crowdsource travel platform.
Reported
GlobalX announces formation of CubaX[4]
Global Crossing Airlines announced that it had formed CubaX, its first tour operator. CubaX planned to apply to operate daily charter flights from Miami to Havana starting in 2021.
Sources4 sources
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