INAEC Aviation appointed Bell’s Approved Maintenance Center in Phl

Mico Virata·7 February 2026, 11:19 pm·1 min read

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INAEC Aviation appointed Bell’s Approved Maintenance Center in Phl — INAEC Aviation and Bell Textron officials pose for a group photo in Singapore during AT INAEC Aviation’s formal appointment as approved maintenance center in the Philippines for the Bell 429 helicopter, INAEC and Bell Textron officials pose for a group photo in Singapore (from left): Capt. Clark Carreon, general manager, INAEC North; Dexter Ampong, INAEC general manager; Benjamin ‘Jay’ R. Lopez, INAEC president; Chris Schaefer, Bell vice president, global customer solutions; and Kirpal Singh, Bell manager, customer support and services.
Photograph courtesy of INAEC Aviation

Bell Textron Inc., a global helicopter manufacturer, has appointed INAEC Aviation Corporation as its Approved Maintenance Center for the Bell 429 helicopter in the Philippines, enhancing local support for Bell operators in the country.

The appointment follows Bell’s due diligence and qualification review, which INAEC successfully completed in December 2025. With the designation, INAEC becomes the seventh Bell 429 Approved Maintenance Center in the Asia-Pacific region and joins Bell’s global network of more than 50 authorized service centers.

Long track record

INAEC has more than 30 years of experience in helicopter operations and maintenance, with a long track record of servicing Bell aircraft that dates back to 1993.

Founded by the Lopez family in 1932, INAEC, or Iloilo-Negros Air Express Company, was the first airline in the Philippines. It was reborn in 1993 as INAEC Aviation, specializing in air charter, medical evacuation, and aircraft maintenance services.

During its early operations, the company carried out mission-critical work using the Bell 206 JetRanger, supporting activities such as aerial news gathering and offshore transport for oil and gas companies.

It later broadened its technical capabilities in 2015 to cover the operation and maintenance of the higher-capacity Bell 429, serving private owners and general aviation operators across the country.

Philippines a stable, consistent market for Bell helicopters

“Bell values the Philippines as a stable and consistent market for our helicopters, and it is essential that our customers have access to reliable, high-quality local support,” said Chris Schaefer, Vice President, Global Customer Solutions, Bell.

“INAEC’s extensive experience in helicopter operations and maintenance gives us confidence that they will uphold Bell’s standards and strengthen our support network for Bell operators in the Philippines,” he added.

INAEC President Benjamin “Jay” R. Lopez said the designation highlights the broader potential of the local aviation sector. “The growth potential of the local aviation industry extends beyond air transport,” Lopez said.

“The Philippines has the technical capability and specialized skills required to operate and maintain modern aircraft. As a Bell 429 AMC, INAEC is well positioned to deliver reliable, high-standard maintenance services for Bell operators across the country,” he added.