Wiggins Airways

Wiggins Airways
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Cargo airline, Fixed-base operator
Founded	December 2, 1930; 95 years ago in Leominster, Massachusetts, United States
Founder	Elmer W. Wiggins
Headquarters	Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
Area served	New England and upstate New York, United States
Products	Cargo airline services, Fixed-base operations
Number of employees	Approximately 100 (2014)
Parent	Ameriflight

Wiggins Airways is a United States-based cargo airline and fixed-base operator that functions as a subsidiary of Ameriflight.

Formation

Established on December 2, 1930, in Massachusetts as E.W. Wiggins Airways, Inc. by its founder and president Elmer W. Wiggins, the company was originally based in Leominster, Massachusetts. Its early operations covered a wide spectrum of aviation services, including aircraft manufacturing, leasing, operational activities, financial services, and sales involving diverse aircraft models. Starting in the 1930s, Wiggins provided fixed-base operator services with pilot training programs. During World War II, the firm expanded its scope to include the production of aircraft components and military pilot instruction. By 1944, the headquarters were transferred to Norwood, Massachusetts.

Passenger airline operations

In June 1946, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) granted certification to Wiggins as a local service airline, authorizing passenger flights between Boston and Albany. The company’s founder, Elmer Wiggins, passed away shortly before the certification hearings. Initially intending to utilize Douglas DC-3 aircraft, Wiggins encountered difficulties due to inadequate airport facilities along the route. By 1949, the CAB approved the use of smaller planes, leading Wiggins to deploy the four-seat Cessna T-50, which was capable of operating from basic airfields and navigating mountainous regions despite its wooden frame and limited passenger comfort.

Scheduled flights commenced on September 19, 1949; however, passenger volumes remained low—averaging under ten boardings daily across the network by 1951–52. This resulted in disproportionately high postal subsidies per mail pound transported, adversely affecting profitability. Similar challenges had impacted other regional carriers such as Florida Airways and Mid-West Airlines. Consequently, in October 1952, the CAB refused to renew Wiggins’ operating certificate for the Albany-Boston route, awarding it instead to Mohawk Airlines. The decision was narrowly split 3–2 among board members, with dissenting votes favoring Wiggins’ potential success with DC-3 aircraft.

Despite appeals from Wiggins and several New England states contesting the ruling, the CAB upheld its stance in July 1953. Wiggins conducted its last scheduled passenger flight on July 31, 1953. Unlike Florida Airways and Mid-West Airlines, Wiggins continued operations through other profitable segments rather than ceasing business.

This episode illustrates the difficulties faced by local service airlines in maintaining viability amid limited market demand and infrastructure limitations within regional aviation.

Operations in New Hampshire

Wiggins Airways shifted its focus toward regional cargo services during the 1980s, initially providing feeder flights for Federal Express and UPS Airlines. By 1990, it had secured contracts at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) with both carriers and formally adopted the name Wiggins Airways, Inc. In 1997, it expanded by acquiring Stead Aviation—a fixed-base operator at MHT—marking a strategic relocation of its headquarters to Manchester and broadening its operational footprint. This expansion included constructing a new general aviation terminal and hangar completed in 1999 as well as establishing an aviation fuel farm at MHT in 2004. That same year saw Wiggins reincorporate in New Hampshire to better align its corporate registration with its operational base.

Since 1985, Wiggins Airways has operated under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and employed more than 160 personnel during this period, reflecting a cooperative corporate environment supporting business growth ambitions.

Ameriflight period

In December 2014, Ameriflight expanded its operations by acquiring Wiggins Airways, which then operated a fleet of 48 aircraft and employed approximately 100 personnel. This strategic acquisition elevated Ameriflight to the status of the world's largest regional air cargo carrier, increasing its total fleet size to 218 aircraft. Following the purchase, Ameriflight sold off Wiggins' fixed base operator (FBO) and airline services divisions to Signature Flight Support, allowing Ameriflight to concentrate exclusively on its core air cargo business.

Currently, Signature Flight Support oversees fueling and deicing services at Manchester Boston Regional Airport. Meanwhile, Wiggins continues to perform maintenance on its Beechcraft 99 aircraft and provides servicing for other airlines as well as general aviation clients at the same airport.

In February 2024, Wiggins Airways concluded its final FedEx revenue flight, marking the end of a long-standing collaboration. The last Cessna 208 aircraft was transferred to Akron Canton Airport in March 2024. Subsequently, on June 1, 2024, Ameriflight announced that Wiggins would be integrated as an operating base within Ameriflight’s overall corporate framework, thereby consolidating its worldwide operations under a unified brand.

Fleet

According to the 1987-88 edition of World Airline Fleets, Wiggins Airways operated a variety of aircraft including five Bell 206 helicopters, one Cessna Caravan (operated for Federal Express), two DHC-6 Twin Otter cargo planes, and one Piper Aztec. As of June 3, 2024, FAA records indicate that Wiggins operates twelve Beechcraft 99s and three Cessna Caravans under Part 135 certification, with the Caravans registered to FedEx.

Routes

Wiggins Airways currently flies cargo routes on behalf of Ameriflight, mainly departing from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (KMHT) to various locations across New England and upstate New York. Notable destinations include Bangor, Burlington*, Montpelier, Auburn/Lewiston, Knox County, Portland, Rutland, Presque Isle, Waterville, and Cape Cod Gateway to Nantucket. The Burlington service is operated on an on-demand basis for UPS.

Routes served by Wiggins Airways (UPS)
Origin	Destination	Returns after unloading?
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (KMHT) (Manchester, NH)	Bangor International Airport (KBGR) (Bangor, ME)	Yes
	Burlington International Airport (KBTV) (Burlington, VT)*
	Edward F. Knapp State Airport (KMPV) (Montpelier, VT)
	Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport (KLEW) (Auburn, ME)
	Knox County Regional Airport (KRKD) (Rockland, ME)
	Portland International Jetport (KPWM) (Portland, ME)
	Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport (KRUT) (Rutland, VT)
	Presque Isle International Airport (KPQI) (Presque Isle, ME)
	Waterville Robert LaFleur Airport (KWVL) (Waterville, ME)
Cape Cod Gateway Airport (KHYA) (Hyannis, MA)	Nantucket Memorial Airport (KACK) (Nantucket, MA)

Indicates UPS route flown on demand

Incidents and Accidents

On August 22, 2023, a Beechcraft Model 99 was involved in a fatal crash during a training mission departing from Lewiston-Auburn Airport in Litchfield, ME. The aircraft entered a steep dive resulting in total destruction; both individuals onboard lost their lives.
On January 26, 2024, a Beech C99 cargo flight traveling from Manchester-Boston to Presque Isle crashed near Londonderry, NH. The pilot survived but sustained serious injuries after transmitting an emergency code and exhibiting erratic flight behavior for approximately sixteen minutes. Investigations determined that the pilot’s door detached mid-flight causing control difficulties prior to the accident.

External links

Wiggins aircraft during the scheduled service period of the early 1950s: