Ameriflight LLC, a recent relocation to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, said Tuesday it has signed a deal to acquire Wiggins Airways Inc., a regional air cargo carrier based in Manchester, N.H.
“The acquisition of Wiggins adds 48 aircraft and 100 employees to Ameriflight’s existing network of 170 aircraft and 550 employees,” Amerflight said in its announcement. “By joining up with Wiggins, Ameriflight becomes the largest regional air cargo carrier in the world with over 650 aviation professionals and 218 aircraft.”
As part of the deal, Ameriflight intends to sell Wiggins’ line operations business, including its fixed-based operations and airline services at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, to Signature Flight Support.
However, Ameriflight will keep Wiggins’ flight operations, aircraft maintenance and administrative support services in Manchester.
“We are proud to welcome Wiggins Airways into the Ameriflight family,” Ameriflight owner and chairman Jim Martell said in Ameriflight’s announcement.
Jim Martell (Ameriflight)
“The Wiggins team shares our commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency. This acquisition is truly a win-win for both companies as well as our employees, customers, and the communities we serve by adding new bases and routes to our northeastern U.S. network,” Martell said.
Wiggings president and CEO James H. Thomforde Sr. called Ameriflight “an outstanding partner for Wiggins. “Merging with Ameriflight provides growth and security for our employees.”
He said that all Wiggins employees will be offered jobs with Ameriflight or Signature.
Ameriflight, founded in 1968, says it “provides feeder services for overnight express carriers nationwide and internationally including UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Ameriflight also serves major freight forwarders, financial institutions, laboratories, and overnight couriers,” the company said.
The company’s headquarters are located on the west side of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, at 1515 W. 20th St. It relocated its headquarters recently from Burbank, Calif.