You’ve probably seen their distinctive Airbus jets at Miami International or maybe heard about them handling high-stakes sports charters. Global X, or Global Crossing Airlines as it's officially known on the stock exchange, isn't owned by a single reclusive billionaire or a massive legacy carrier like Delta or American. Honestly, the answer is a bit more "corporate-meets-scrappy-startup."
Global X is a publicly traded company. That means if you’ve got a brokerage account and a few spare dollars, you could technically own a piece of it yourself.
But who actually pulls the strings?
The Power Players Behind the Scenes
The ownership structure of Global Crossing Airlines Group Inc. (which trades under the ticker JETMF in the U.S. and JET on the Cboe Canada) is a mix of institutional investors, private equity, and the executives who built the thing from scratch. It’s not a monolith.
As of early 2026, the largest individual "voice" in the room is often tied to Krzysztof "Chris" Jamroz, the Executive Chairman. Recent SEC filings show him holding a significant stake, recently reported around 5.06% through his entity, LyonIX Aviation I, LLC. He’s been putting his own skin in the game, literally using personal funds to increase his position. It’s a classic move that signals, "I believe this isn't going to crash and burn."
Then you have the institutional side. Red Oak Partners, LLC has historically been a massive player here. At various points, they’ve held over 20% of the company. When a fund owns a fifth of your airline, they aren't just "investors"—they’re basically part of the family, for better or worse.
A Quick Breakdown of Who Holds the Keys:
- The General Public: Roughly 46% of the shares are floating around in the hands of regular retail investors.
- Institutions: About 27% is held by professional money managers and investment firms like Red Oak.
- Insiders: Around 24% is owned by the people running the show, including Chris Jamroz and Ryan Goepel.
- Private Entities: A smaller slice, about 3%, is held by other private companies.
Wait, What About the Founder?
You can't talk about who owns Global X without mentioning Ed Wegel. He’s the guy who basically willed this airline into existence. He took the "shell" of the old Canada Jetlines, pivoted the whole business model, and launched a Miami-based charter powerhouse right in the middle of a global pandemic. Talk about bad timing that turned out okay.
While Wegel stepped back from the CEO role, he remains a significant shareholder. Last reports pegged his stake somewhere around 9%. He’s the "architect," even if he isn't the one flying the plane day-to-day anymore.
Is It a Private Equity Play?
Sorta. While it’s public, you’ll see names like DaGrosa Capital Partners pop up in older portfolio lists. They provided early-stage oxygen. However, the airline has moved toward a "hybrid" model.
For a long time, Global X didn't actually "own" its planes. They leased them. In late 2025, they made a big deal about buying their first aircraft—an Airbus A320—instead of just renting it. This shifted the "ownership" of the physical assets, moving them from the balance sheets of leasing companies like AE Industrial Partners directly onto Global X’s books.
Why the Ownership Matters to You
Why do people even ask who owns Global X? Usually, it's because they’re doing a "wet lease" (ACMI) for another airline or flying a "deportation flight" for the government. When an airline does controversial work, people want to know who is cashing the checks.
The reality is that Global X operates like a "taxi service" for big organizations. Their owners are looking for "utilization"—keeping those A320s and A321s in the air as many hours as possible. Whether it's a TUI flight in Europe or a basketball team in the States, the owners just want the engines running.
The Strategy for 2026 and Beyond
The current leadership, specifically CEO Ryan Goepel, is pushing a "hedgehog strategy." They focus on "forgettable flights"—the stuff that isn't flashy but pays the bills. They aren't trying to be JetBlue. They want to be the guys you call when your own airline breaks down or when you need to move 150 people to a casino in the Bahamas.
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By the end of 2026, they’re aiming for a fleet of 35 aircraft. That's a lot of metal. To get there, they’ll likely need more capital, which might mean the ownership percentages we see today will shift again as they issue more stock or bring in new big-money partners.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're looking into Global X for investment or just out of curiosity, keep these points in mind:
- Check the SEC Form 13D: This is where the "big dogs" (5%+ owners) have to reveal themselves. If Chris Jamroz or Red Oak starts selling, that’s a signal.
- Monitor the Fleet Mix: Ownership of the company is one thing; ownership of the planes is another. Watch for more "acquisitions" vs "leases" to see if they are building real equity.
- Watch the ACMI Contracts: Their value is tied to who they fly for. If they lose a major government or major airline contract, the stock (and the value of the ownership) takes a hit.
Basically, Global X is a public entity controlled by a tight-knit group of aviation veterans and a few aggressive investment funds. It’s a high-growth, high-risk play in the Miami sun.
To stay updated on their latest ownership changes, you can monitor the Global Crossing Airlines Investor Relations page or search for their latest 10-K filings on the SEC EDGAR database. This will give you the most recent "snapshot" of the cap table as it evolves throughout the year.