Ameriflight (AMF, Burbank) has acquired Wiggins Airways (WIG, Manchester, NH) with the latter having approved plans for a merger. With Wiggins set to be split into two companies, Ameriflight said it will retain the cargo specialist's Manchester, NH flight operations, MRO, and administrative services but plans to sell off its fixed base operations and airline services to Signature Flight Support of Orlando, Florida.

Under the deal, Signature will assume ownership of Wiggins’ ground facilities with Ameriflight in turn leasing flight operations facilities from the Florida-based firm.

Wiggins employees, who own the company through an employee stock ownership plan, will receive “a significant cash value” in the deal.

Founded in 1929, Wiggins operates an extensive fleet of turboprop freighters including Cessna 208B(F)s, Beech 99s, E110s, on flights for and on behalf of FedEx Express (FX, Memphis International) and UPS Airlines (5X, Louisville International). For its part, Ameriflight operates scheduled and contract cargo services to destinations in 35 US states, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean using a fleet of E120s, Metroliner(F)s, and various other twin-prop light aircraft.