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7Air LLC, a Miami-based cargo airline less than a year into commercial operations, has appointed Edward Wegel, a veteran startup founder with a track record of launching and restructuring regional carriers, as its new chief executive officer.
The company also promoted Juan Nunez, formerly director of flight operations, to chief operating officer, assigning him responsibility for regulatory compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Leadership Shift at a Critical Growth Stage
The appointments come seven months after 7Air launched commercial service, a phase when young carriers typically face their steepest operational and financial pressures. Wegel will take the role while simultaneously serving as chief executive of two other ventures he recently co-founded: UrbanLink Air Mobility and Pan American World Airways, the latter an effort to revive the legendary brand using Airbus aircraft.
7Air is owned by The Xtreme Group, a South Florida conglomerate that also operates aircraft and engine maintenance subsidiaries. In announcing the hire, a human resources specialist at The Xtreme Group described Wegel as bringing “extensive leadership experience” and a “proven track record of building and scaling airline operations.”
Wegel previously founded Global Crossing Airlines, known as GlobalX, a Miami-based passenger and charter cargo carrier that began commercial service in 2021. He was terminated from that role in 2024 after an aggressive expansion into widebody aircraft, electric air taxis, and an operation in Colombia stretched the company beyond its means. Before GlobalX, he led the investor group that relaunched Eastern Air Lines as a charter operator.
A Competitive and Challenging Market
7Air operates a fleet of four Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, primarily serving the Caribbean and Central America, with some domestic routes into Chicago and Rickenbacker airport in Columbus, Ohio. Flight tracking data shows the airline currently flies to destinations including Guatemala City, the Dominican Republic, and Havana, Cuba.
The carrier appears to operate largely on a sponsored basis, meaning logistics companies contract directly with 7Air for dedicated lift rather than booking space on scheduled flights. Clients listed on the company’s website include CubaMax, a travel and shipping agency focused on Cuba, and Globe LogisticZ, an Antigua-based freight forwarder. Tracking data also suggests 7Air operated under contract to UPS during the December peak season, flying between Chicago and the UPS hub in Louisville, Kentucky.
The market in which 7Air competes is widely regarded among industry professionals as one of the more difficult segments in North American air freight. The Caribbean and Central American lanes carry limited backhaul cargo, which constrains the ability of carriers to offset outbound operating costs. Passenger airlines including American Airlines generate significant belly freight capacity on many of the same routes, adding competitive pressure on rates. The 737-800’s range also restricts 7Air to the northern Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and domestic points, limiting future network expansion without a fleet change.
Several direct competitors operate out of Miami International Airport, including Amerijet, 21 Air, GlobalX, and IBC Airways. Amerijet flies larger Boeing 767 freighters, giving it a payload advantage on high-volume lanes. GlobalX, Wegel’s former employer, recently grounded two of its Airbus A321 freighters citing soft demand, a signal of pricing pressure across the region. The 737-800’s lower lease and operating costs compared to the A321 may give 7Air a near-term structural cost advantage.
A Familiar Revolving Door
Wegel’s appointment underscores the tight-knit nature of South Florida’s air cargo community. He, Nunez, and several other 7Air employees previously worked at GlobalX, the same carrier Wegel once led. Wegel replaces Michael Mendez, who held the top role at 7Air after previously serving as chief executive and chief operating officer at 21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo carrier that operates out of Miami. Mendez was himself succeeded at 21 Air in late 2024 by Tim Strauss, the former chief executive of Amerijet.
Whether Wegel’s multi-role structure, spanning three active airline ventures simultaneously, will be seen as an asset or a distraction by partners, investors, and the FAA remains an open question as 7Air seeks to establish itself in one of the region’s most competitive cargo markets.
