Jump to content

Wiggins Airways: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American cargo airline}}{{Update|date=June 2024}}{{Infobox airline
{{Short description|US passenger airline (1949–1953), now a cargo carrier}}
{{Infobox airline
|airline=Wiggins Airways
|airline=Wiggins Airways
|logo=Wiggins_Air_Logo.jpg
|logo=Wiggins_Air_Logo.jpg
Line 9: Line 10:
|callsign=WIGGINS AIRWAYS
|callsign=WIGGINS AIRWAYS
|company_slogan=
|company_slogan=
|founded= 2 December 1930 <br><small> as E.W. Wiggins Airways</small>
|founded= 2 December 1930<small> incorporated <br>as E.W. Wiggins Airways</small>
|headquarters=[[Leominster, Massachusetts]] <br> [[Norwood, Massachusetts]] <br> [[Manchester, New Hampshire]]
|headquarters=[[Leominster, Massachusetts]] <br> [[Norwood, Massachusetts]] <br> [[Manchester, New Hampshire]]
|key_people=Elmer W. Wiggins <br> Paul Halter
|key_people=Elmer W. Wiggins <br> Paul Halter
Line 22: Line 23:
[[File:WIGGINS208PWM.jpg|thumb|[[Cessna 208]] flown by Wiggins for [[FedEx]] at [[Portland International Jetport|Portland, Maine]] in 2005]]
[[File:WIGGINS208PWM.jpg|thumb|[[Cessna 208]] flown by Wiggins for [[FedEx]] at [[Portland International Jetport|Portland, Maine]] in 2005]]


'''Wiggins Airways''' was a long-lived American aviation company that pursued many lines of business during its existence, including:
'''Wiggins Airways''' is a long-lived American aviation company that pursued many lines of business during its existence, including:
* [[fixed base operator]]
* [[fixed base operator]]
* [[local service carrier]] based in [[Massachusetts]], providing scheduled airline service 1949–1953, certificated by the [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB), the now defunct Federal agency that, at the time, tightly regulated almost all airline service in the United States
* [[local service carrier]] based in [[Massachusetts]], providing scheduled airline service 1949–1953, certificated by the [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB), the now defunct Federal agency that, at the time, tightly regulated almost all airline service in the United States
* [[cargo airline]] based in [[Manchester, New Hampshire]], United States, operating from [[Manchester–Boston Regional Airport]]. It was a subsidiary of [[Ameriflight]] from 2014 until 2024 when it was merged into its parent company
* [[cargo airline]] based in [[Manchester, New Hampshire]], United States, operating from [[Manchester–Boston Regional Airport]]. In 2014 it became a subsidiary of [[Ameriflight]], and as of June 1, 2024, Wiggins is transitioning to becoming an operating base of [[Ameriflight]], apparently merging into its parent.


==History==
==History==
===Startup===
===Startup===
The business was incorporated in Massachusetts on 2 December 1930 as '''E.W. Wiggins Airways, Inc.''' by president Elmer W. Wiggins, with its principal office in [[Leominster, Massachusetts|Leominster]]. The proposed business of the corporation was a many-hundred word comprehensive description of apparently every type of aviation-related business, covering everything from gliders to helicopters (a dozen years before the [[Sikorsky R-4|first mass produced helicopter]]) to dirigibles and rocketships, including manufacturing, leasing, operating, financing, fueling, sales and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |title=Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Organization, Filing Number 000041972198|website= corp.sec.state.ma.us|language=en|date=2 December 1930|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref> Starting in the 1930s, Wiggins was a [[fixed base operator]], including pilot instruction. During [[World War II]] it built aircraft parts and trained pilots for the military.<ref name="cert">{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=7|title=New England Case|pages=27-82 |date=June 1946 - March 1947 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011657737|hdl=2027/osu.32437011657737}}</ref> By 1944, the company had moved to Norwood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |title=Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Amendment, Filing Number 200345082280 |date=2 August 1944|website= corp.sec.state.ma.us|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>
The business was incorporated in Massachusetts on 2 December 1930 as '''E.W. Wiggins Airways, Inc.''' by president Elmer W. Wiggins, with its principal office in [[Leominster, Massachusetts|Leominster]]. The proposed business of the corporation was a many-hundred word comprehensive description of apparently every type of aviation-related business, covering everything from gliders to helicopters (a dozen years before the [[Sikorsky R-4|first mass produced helicopter]]) to dirigibles and rocketships, including manufacturing, leasing, operating, financing, fueling, sales and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |title=Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Organization, Filing Number 000041972198|website= corp.sec.state.ma.us|language=en|date=2 December 1930|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref> Starting in the 1930s, Wiggins was a [[fixed base operator]], including pilot instruction. During [[World War II]] it built aircraft parts and trained pilots for the military.<ref name="cert">{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=7|title=New England Case|pages=27–82 |date=June 1946 - March 1947 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011657737|hdl=2027/osu.32437011657737}}</ref> By 1944, the company had moved to Norwood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |title=Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Amendment, Filing Number 200345082280 |date=2 August 1944|website= corp.sec.state.ma.us|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>


===Scheduled passenger airline===
===Scheduled passenger airline===
[[File:Wiggins Airways final route network.png|thumb|Wiggins Airways final route network from the 1952 [[Civil Aeronautics Board|CAB]] case that ended the carrier]]
[[File:Wiggins Airways final route network.png|thumb|Wiggins Airways final route network from the 1952 [[Civil Aeronautics Board|CAB]] case that denied its certificate extension]]
In June 1946, the CAB certificated Wiggins as a local service carrier to fly several passenger routes between Boston and Albany. Founder Elmer Wiggins died just prior to the public hearings for the CAB case that produced the certification.<ref name="cert"/> The company wanted to use [[Douglas DC-3]]s for the routes, but was frustrated by lack of adequate airports. In 1949, the CAB said it would accept the use of smaller aircraft. After Wiggins experimentated with several types, it was found that the four-passenger [[Cessna T-50]] was able to safely operate into the rudimentary airports available and climb fast enough to scale mountainous territory. While a twin-engine aircraft, it was of wood and fabric construction, unattractive to passengers.<ref name="renew">{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=16|title=Wiggins Renewal Investigation Case|pages=483-533 |date=July 1952 - February 1953 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011658529|hdl=2027/osu.32437011658529}}</ref>
In June 1946, the CAB certificated Wiggins as a local service carrier to fly several passenger routes between Boston and Albany. Founder Elmer Wiggins died just prior to the public hearings for the CAB case that produced the certification.<ref name="cert"/> The company wanted to use [[Douglas DC-3]]s for the routes, but was frustrated by lack of adequate airports. In 1949, the CAB said it would accept the use of smaller aircraft. After Wiggins experimentated with several types, it was found that the four-passenger [[Cessna T-50]] was able to safely operate into the rudimentary airports available and climb fast enough to scale mountainous territory. While a twin-engine aircraft, it was of wood and fabric construction, unattractive to passengers.<ref name="renew">{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=16|title=Wiggins Renewal Investigation Case|pages=483–533 |date=July 1952 - February 1953 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011658529|hdl=2027/osu.32437011658529}}</ref>


Scheduled service finally started on 19 September 1949.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1068273271 ''Wiggins Airways Initials Local Airline Service'', Springfield (MA) Morning Union, September 20, 1949]</ref> The basic problem for Wiggins was that few flew the carrier. Even after the airline had been further developed, in 1951 and 1952, an average of fewer than 10 people boarded Wiggins per day, across the whole system. Since passenger revenue was extremely low, the postal subsidy (by which all local service carriers were then supported) was unacceptably high per pound of mail. This was the same basic problem that the CAB had faced previously with both [[Florida Airways (1947–1949)|Florida Airways]] in 1949 and [[Mid-West Airlines]] in 1952, and had the same result. In a decision reached in October 1952, the CAB said it would not renew the Wiggins certification. In the same decision, it allowed that there was intrinsic demand from Albany to Boston, just not the way Wiggins was flying, and handed a route between the two to [[Mohawk Airlines]]. As with the 1952 decision to not extend Mid-West's certification, the five members of the Board split 3-2, with the same minority members with the same dissenting opinion: Wiggins deserved a shot at flying DC-3s and could be expected eventually to do well with them.<ref name="renew"/>
Scheduled service finally started on 19 September 1949.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1068273271 ''Wiggins Airways Initials Local Airline Service'', Springfield (MA) Morning Union, September 20, 1949]</ref> The basic problem for Wiggins was that few flew the carrier. Even after the airline had been further developed, in 1951 and 1952, an average of fewer than 10 people boarded Wiggins per day, across the whole system. Since passenger revenue was extremely low, the postal subsidy (by which all local service carriers were then supported) was unacceptably high per pound of mail. This was the same basic problem that the CAB had faced previously with both [[Florida Airways (1947–1949)|Florida Airways]] in 1949 and [[Mid-West Airlines]] in 1952, and had the same result. In a decision reached in October 1952, the CAB said it would not renew the Wiggins certification. In the same decision, it allowed that there was intrinsic demand from Albany to Boston, just not the way Wiggins was flying, and handed a route between the two to [[Mohawk Airlines]]. As with the 1952 decision to not extend Mid-West's certification, the five members of the Board split 3-2, with the same minority members with the same dissenting opinion: Wiggins deserved a shot at flying DC-3s and could be expected eventually to do well with them.<ref name="renew"/>


Wiggins and the states of [[New Hampshire]], [[Rhode Island]] and [[Vermont]] plus several New England cities asked for reconsideration, but in July 1953 the Board affirmed its decision.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=17|title=Wiggins Renewal Investigation Case|pages=565-579 |date=March-September 1953 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011658479|hdl=2027/osu.32437011658479}}</ref> The Wiggins flew its last scheduled flight on July 31, 1953.<ref name="last">[https://www.newspapers.com/image/843146162 ''Wiggins Bows Out With Last Flight Cover'', Greenfield (MA) Recorder, August 3, 1953]</ref> Wiggins was the last of three local service carriers (of the 19 that initiated CAB-certificated service) to have the CAB refuse to renew their certificates.<ref>{{cite book|last=Eads|first=George C.|title=The Local Service Airline Experiment|year=1972|pages=4, 98|publisher=Brookings Institution|isbn=9780815720225|url=https://archive.org/details/localserviceairl0000eads}}</ref> However, unlike Florida Airways and Mid-West, Wiggins did not liquidate as a result, having other healthy lines of business.<ref name="last"/>
Wiggins and the states of [[New Hampshire]], [[Rhode Island]] and [[Vermont]] plus several New England cities asked for reconsideration, but in July 1953 the Board affirmed its decision.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=17|title=Wiggins Renewal Investigation Case|pages=565–579 |date=March–September 1953 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011658479|hdl=2027/osu.32437011658479}}</ref> Wiggins flew its last scheduled flight on July 31, 1953.<ref name="last">[https://www.newspapers.com/image/843146162 ''Wiggins Bows Out With Last Flight Cover'', Greenfield (MA) Recorder, August 3, 1953]</ref> Wiggins was the last of three local service carriers (of the 19 that initiated CAB-certificated service) to have the CAB refuse to renew their certificates.<ref>{{cite book|last=Eads|first=George C.|title=The Local Service Airline Experiment|year=1972|pages=4, 98|publisher=Brookings Institution|isbn=9780815720225|url=https://archive.org/details/localserviceairl0000eads}}</ref> However, unlike Florida Airways and Mid-West, Wiggins did not liquidate as a result, having other healthy lines of business.<ref name="last"/>

===New Hampshire===
===New Hampshire===
Wiggins was drawn to New Hampshire by flying feeder cargo aircraft for Federal Express and [[UPS Airlines]]. This started in the 1980s and by 1990 Wiggins had contracts at [[Manchester-Boston Regional Airport]] (MHT) with both UPS and Federal Express.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brouder|first=Edward W., Jr.|last2=Quirin|first2=Maurice B.|title=Manchester's Airport: Flying Through Time|isbn=097214899X|year=2006|url=https://archive.org/details/manchestersairpo0000brou|publisher=Unified Business Technologies Press|location=Amherst, NH|page=322|ref={{sfnref|Brouder & Quirin|2006}}}}</ref> (The same year, the airline officially changed its name to Wiggins Airways, Inc.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |title=Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Amendment, Filing Number 020500169047 |date=22 May 1990|website= corp.sec.state.ma.us|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref> This lead the airline to buy Stead Aviation, an MHT fixed base operator, in 1997, with the intention of moving the airline to Manchester.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/441295425 ''Wiggins Airways Buys N.H. Firm'', Boston Globe, August 10, 1997]</ref> Wiggins built a new headquarters, [[general aviation]] terminal and hangar, opening the complex in 1999.{{sfn|Brouder & Quirin|2006|p=323}} Wiggins opened a new aviation fuel farm at MHT in 2004.{{sfn|Brouder & Quirin|2006|p=346}} In the same year, the company finally reincorporated in New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/BusinessInquire/|website=quickstart.sos.nh.gov|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State Business Search|title=Search results for Wiggins Airways, Inc., ID 498216|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>
Wiggins was drawn to New Hampshire by flying feeder cargo aircraft for Federal Express and [[UPS Airlines]]. This started in the 1980s and by 1990 Wiggins had contracts at [[Manchester-Boston Regional Airport]] (MHT) with both UPS and Federal Express.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brouder|first1=Edward W., Jr.|last2=Quirin|first2=Maurice B.|title=Manchester's Airport: Flying Through Time|isbn=097214899X|year=2006|url=https://archive.org/details/manchestersairpo0000brou|publisher=Unified Business Technologies Press|location=Amherst, NH|page=322|ref={{sfnref|Brouder & Quirin|2006}}}}</ref> (The same year, the airline officially changed its name to Wiggins Airways, Inc.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |title=Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Amendment, Filing Number 020500169047 |date=22 May 1990|website= corp.sec.state.ma.us|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref> This lead the airline to buy Stead Aviation, an MHT fixed base operator, in 1997, with the intention of moving the airline to Manchester.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/441295425 ''Wiggins Airways Buys N.H. Firm'', Boston Globe, August 10, 1997]</ref> Wiggins built a new headquarters, [[general aviation]] terminal and hangar, opening the complex in 1999.{{sfn|Brouder & Quirin|2006|p=323}} Wiggins opened a new aviation fuel farm at MHT in 2004.{{sfn|Brouder & Quirin|2006|p=346}} In the same year, the company finally reincorporated in New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/BusinessInquire/|website=quickstart.sos.nh.gov|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State Business Search|title=Search results for Wiggins Airways, Inc., ID 498216|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>


Wiggins Airways was founded in 1929, by E.W. Wiggins, operating out of Manchester, New Hampshire. Wiggins Airways was bought out by its employees in the creation of an [[Employee Share Ownership Plan]] in 1985. Wiggins currently employs over 160 people.
Wiggins Airways was bought out by its employees in the creation of an [[Employee Share Ownership Plan]] in 1985. Wiggins currently employs over 160 people.


===Ameriflight era===
===Ameriflight era===
Line 50: Line 51:
While [[Signature Flight Support]] operates fueling and deicing services to aircraft flying into [[Manchester Boston Regional Airport]], Wiggins Airways does maintenance on their fleet, as well as servicing the airlines that serve the airport and general aviation aircraft.
While [[Signature Flight Support]] operates fueling and deicing services to aircraft flying into [[Manchester Boston Regional Airport]], Wiggins Airways does maintenance on their fleet, as well as servicing the airlines that serve the airport and general aviation aircraft.


On June 1, 2024, Ameriflight announced it would transition Wiggins to becoming simply an operating base of Ameriflight.
On June 1, 2024, Ameriflight announced it would transition Wiggins to becoming simply an operating base of Ameriflight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiggins-air.com/ |website=wiggins-air.com|title=Wiggins Airways website homepage|publisher=Wiggins Airways|language=en|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
''1987-88 World Airline Fleets'' (copyright 1987) lists the E.W. Wiggins Airways [[trade name|dba]] Wiggins Airways with a fleet as follows, the Cessna Caravan noted as being flown for [[Federal Express]]:<ref>{{cite book|title=1987-88 World Airline Fleets|author=Gunter G. Endres|date=1987|publisher=Browcom Publishing|location=Feltham, Middlesex, UK|isbn=0946141304|page=218}}</ref>
''1987-88 World Airline Fleets'' (copyright 1987) lists the E.W. Wiggins Airways [[trade name|dba]] Wiggins Airways with a fleet as follows, the Cessna Caravan noted as being flown for [[Federal Express]]:<ref>{{cite book|title=1987-88 World Airline Fleets|first=Gunter G.| last=Endres|date=1987|publisher=Browcom Publishing|location=Feltham, Middlesex, UK|isbn=0946141304|page=218}}</ref>
{{col div}}
{{col div}}
*5 [[Bell 206]]
*5 [[Bell 206]]
Line 64: Line 65:


==Routes==
==Routes==
The route map from Wiggins time as a scheduled airline in 1949-1953 is shown above.
The route map from Wiggins time as a scheduled airline in 1949–1953 is shown above.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Routes operated by Wiggins Airways (UPS)
|+ Routes operated by Wiggins Airways (UPS){{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
|-
|-
! Origin!! Destination!! Returns to origin after unload?
! Origin!! Destination!! Returns to origin after unload?
Line 91: Line 92:
| [[Cape Cod Gateway Airport]] (KHYA) ([[Hyannis, MA]])|| [[Nantucket Memorial Airport]] (KACK ([[Nantucket, MA]])|| Yes
| [[Cape Cod Gateway Airport]] (KHYA) ([[Hyannis, MA]])|| [[Nantucket Memorial Airport]] (KACK ([[Nantucket, MA]])|| Yes
|}
|}



== Incidents and Accidents ==
== Incidents and Accidents ==


* On August 22, 2023, while operating a training flight from Lewiston-Auburn Airport, [[Wiggins Air Flight 634]] crashed in a wooded area in [[Litchfield, ME]].<ref>https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/ntsb-preliminary-report-fatal-plane-crash-litchfield-auburn/97-b5bfdc76-964c-4879-ab6b-a88145600cd6</ref> The aircraft involved was a [[Beechcraft Model 99]]. The aircraft was totally destroyed after entering a steep dive while conducting training, almost disintegrating on impact. Both occupants were killed on impact.
* On August 22, 2023, while operating a training flight from Lewiston-Auburn Airport, [[Wiggins Air Flight 634]] crashed in a wooded area in [[Litchfield, ME]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/ntsb-preliminary-report-fatal-plane-crash-litchfield-auburn/97-b5bfdc76-964c-4879-ab6b-a88145600cd6 | title=NTSB releases preliminary report on plane crash in Litchfield that killed two people | date=8 September 2023 }}</ref> The aircraft involved was a [[Beechcraft Model 99]]. The aircraft was totally destroyed after entering a steep dive while conducting training, almost disintegrating on impact. Both occupants were killed on impact.


* On January 26, 2024, a Wiggins Airways Beech C99 cargo flight from [[Manchester–Boston Regional Airport|Manchester-Boston Regional Airport]] to [[Presque Isle International Airport]] crashed in [[Londonderry, New Hampshire|Londonderry, NH]] into wooded terrain, severely injuring the sole pilot on board.<ref>https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/351173</ref> After takeoff, the aircraft broadcast an emergency transponder code then flew erratically for 16 minutes before crashing. The pilot's door had become detached, resulting in control difficulties, and the pilot was unable to contact ATC.
* On January 26, 2024, a Wiggins Airways Beech C99 cargo flight from [[Manchester–Boston Regional Airport|Manchester-Boston Regional Airport]] to [[Presque Isle International Airport]] crashed in [[Londonderry, New Hampshire|Londonderry, NH]] into wooded terrain, severely injuring the sole pilot on board.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/351173 | title=Loss of control Accident Beechcraft C99 Commuter N53RP }}</ref> After takeoff, the aircraft broadcast an emergency transponder code then flew erratically for 16 minutes before crashing. The pilot's door had become detached, resulting in control difficulties, and the pilot was unable to contact ATC.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 114: Line 114:
[[Category:Companies based in Manchester, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Companies based in Manchester, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in New Hampshire]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in New Hampshire]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1930]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1929]]
[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 11:36, 29 June 2024

Wiggins Airways
IATA ICAO Callsign
WG WIG WIGGINS AIRWAYS
Founded2 December 1930 incorporated
as E.W. Wiggins Airways
HubsManchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
Fleet size15
Parent companyAmeriflight (2014-2024)
HeadquartersLeominster, Massachusetts
Norwood, Massachusetts
Manchester, New Hampshire
Key peopleElmer W. Wiggins
Paul Halter
Websitewiggins-air.com
Cessna 208 flown by Wiggins for FedEx at Portland, Maine in 2005

Wiggins Airways is a long-lived American aviation company that pursued many lines of business during its existence, including:

History

[edit]

Startup

[edit]

The business was incorporated in Massachusetts on 2 December 1930 as E.W. Wiggins Airways, Inc. by president Elmer W. Wiggins, with its principal office in Leominster. The proposed business of the corporation was a many-hundred word comprehensive description of apparently every type of aviation-related business, covering everything from gliders to helicopters (a dozen years before the first mass produced helicopter) to dirigibles and rocketships, including manufacturing, leasing, operating, financing, fueling, sales and more.[1] Starting in the 1930s, Wiggins was a fixed base operator, including pilot instruction. During World War II it built aircraft parts and trained pilots for the military.[2] By 1944, the company had moved to Norwood.[3]

Scheduled passenger airline

[edit]
Wiggins Airways final route network from the 1952 CAB case that denied its certificate extension

In June 1946, the CAB certificated Wiggins as a local service carrier to fly several passenger routes between Boston and Albany. Founder Elmer Wiggins died just prior to the public hearings for the CAB case that produced the certification.[2] The company wanted to use Douglas DC-3s for the routes, but was frustrated by lack of adequate airports. In 1949, the CAB said it would accept the use of smaller aircraft. After Wiggins experimentated with several types, it was found that the four-passenger Cessna T-50 was able to safely operate into the rudimentary airports available and climb fast enough to scale mountainous territory. While a twin-engine aircraft, it was of wood and fabric construction, unattractive to passengers.[4]

Scheduled service finally started on 19 September 1949.[5] The basic problem for Wiggins was that few flew the carrier. Even after the airline had been further developed, in 1951 and 1952, an average of fewer than 10 people boarded Wiggins per day, across the whole system. Since passenger revenue was extremely low, the postal subsidy (by which all local service carriers were then supported) was unacceptably high per pound of mail. This was the same basic problem that the CAB had faced previously with both Florida Airways in 1949 and Mid-West Airlines in 1952, and had the same result. In a decision reached in October 1952, the CAB said it would not renew the Wiggins certification. In the same decision, it allowed that there was intrinsic demand from Albany to Boston, just not the way Wiggins was flying, and handed a route between the two to Mohawk Airlines. As with the 1952 decision to not extend Mid-West's certification, the five members of the Board split 3-2, with the same minority members with the same dissenting opinion: Wiggins deserved a shot at flying DC-3s and could be expected eventually to do well with them.[4]

Wiggins and the states of New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont plus several New England cities asked for reconsideration, but in July 1953 the Board affirmed its decision.[6] Wiggins flew its last scheduled flight on July 31, 1953.[7] Wiggins was the last of three local service carriers (of the 19 that initiated CAB-certificated service) to have the CAB refuse to renew their certificates.[8] However, unlike Florida Airways and Mid-West, Wiggins did not liquidate as a result, having other healthy lines of business.[7]

New Hampshire

[edit]

Wiggins was drawn to New Hampshire by flying feeder cargo aircraft for Federal Express and UPS Airlines. This started in the 1980s and by 1990 Wiggins had contracts at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) with both UPS and Federal Express.[9] (The same year, the airline officially changed its name to Wiggins Airways, Inc.)[10] This lead the airline to buy Stead Aviation, an MHT fixed base operator, in 1997, with the intention of moving the airline to Manchester.[11] Wiggins built a new headquarters, general aviation terminal and hangar, opening the complex in 1999.[12] Wiggins opened a new aviation fuel farm at MHT in 2004.[13] In the same year, the company finally reincorporated in New Hampshire.[14]

Wiggins Airways was bought out by its employees in the creation of an Employee Share Ownership Plan in 1985. Wiggins currently employs over 160 people.

Ameriflight era

[edit]

In December 2014, Ameriflight acquired Wiggins Airways (at the time comprising 48 aircraft and 100 employees), which resulted in Ameriflight becoming the largest regional air cargo carrier in the world, with 218 aircraft.[15][16] Ameriflight elected not to continue to operate Wiggins' FBO and airline service departments, selling those departments to Signature Flight Support.[17]

While Signature Flight Support operates fueling and deicing services to aircraft flying into Manchester Boston Regional Airport, Wiggins Airways does maintenance on their fleet, as well as servicing the airlines that serve the airport and general aviation aircraft.

On June 1, 2024, Ameriflight announced it would transition Wiggins to becoming simply an operating base of Ameriflight.[18]

Fleet

[edit]

1987-88 World Airline Fleets (copyright 1987) lists the E.W. Wiggins Airways dba Wiggins Airways with a fleet as follows, the Cessna Caravan noted as being flown for Federal Express:[19]

As of 3 June 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration lists Wiggins as flying 12 Beechcraft 99s and three Cessna Caravans under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the Caravans with Fedex registrations.[20]

Routes

[edit]

The route map from Wiggins time as a scheduled airline in 1949–1953 is shown above.

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

Incidents and Accidents

[edit]
  • On August 22, 2023, while operating a training flight from Lewiston-Auburn Airport, Wiggins Air Flight 634 crashed in a wooded area in Litchfield, ME.[21] The aircraft involved was a Beechcraft Model 99. The aircraft was totally destroyed after entering a steep dive while conducting training, almost disintegrating on impact. Both occupants were killed on impact.
  • On January 26, 2024, a Wiggins Airways Beech C99 cargo flight from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to Presque Isle International Airport crashed in Londonderry, NH into wooded terrain, severely injuring the sole pilot on board.[22] After takeoff, the aircraft broadcast an emergency transponder code then flew erratically for 16 minutes before crashing. The pilot's door had become detached, resulting in control difficulties, and the pilot was unable to contact ATC.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Organization, Filing Number 000041972198". corp.sec.state.ma.us. 2 December 1930. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "New England Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 7: 27–82. June 1946 – March 1947. hdl:2027/osu.32437011657737.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  3. ^ "Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Amendment, Filing Number 200345082280". corp.sec.state.ma.us. 2 August 1944. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Wiggins Renewal Investigation Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 16: 483–533. July 1952 – February 1953. hdl:2027/osu.32437011658529.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  5. ^ Wiggins Airways Initials Local Airline Service, Springfield (MA) Morning Union, September 20, 1949
  6. ^ "Wiggins Renewal Investigation Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 17: 565–579. March–September 1953. hdl:2027/osu.32437011658479.
  7. ^ a b Wiggins Bows Out With Last Flight Cover, Greenfield (MA) Recorder, August 3, 1953
  8. ^ Eads, George C. (1972). The Local Service Airline Experiment. Brookings Institution. pp. 4, 98. ISBN 9780815720225.
  9. ^ Brouder, Edward W., Jr.; Quirin, Maurice B. (2006). Manchester's Airport: Flying Through Time. Amherst, NH: Unified Business Technologies Press. p. 322. ISBN 097214899X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, Search for a Business Entity, Record for Wiggins Airways, Inc. ID 041972198, Articles of Amendment, Filing Number 020500169047". corp.sec.state.ma.us. 22 May 1990. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  11. ^ Wiggins Airways Buys N.H. Firm, Boston Globe, August 10, 1997
  12. ^ Brouder & Quirin 2006, p. 323.
  13. ^ Brouder & Quirin 2006, p. 346.
  14. ^ "Search results for Wiggins Airways, Inc., ID 498216". quickstart.sos.nh.gov. New Hampshire Secretary of State Business Search. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Wiggins Airways". Airliner World: 15. January 2015.
  16. ^ "Wiggins Acquisition Goes Ahead". Airliner World: 14. December 2014.
  17. ^ "Signature Flight Support to acquire Wiggins AirWays FBO at Manchester Airport".
  18. ^ "Wiggins Airways website homepage". wiggins-air.com. Wiggins Airways. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  19. ^ Endres, Gunter G. (1987). 1987-88 World Airline Fleets. Feltham, Middlesex, UK: Browcom Publishing. p. 218. ISBN 0946141304.
  20. ^ "FAA-certificated Aircraft Operators (Legal Part 135 holders)". www.faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  21. ^ "NTSB releases preliminary report on plane crash in Litchfield that killed two people". 8 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Loss of control Accident Beechcraft C99 Commuter N53RP".
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wiggins_Airways&oldid=1231636765"