Leading helicopter manufacturer Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) has appointed INAEC Aviation Corporation (INAEC) as its Approved Maintenance Center (AMC) in the Philippines for the Bell 429 helicopter.
INAEC announced the appointment over the weekend of the December 2025 official appointment following the successful completion of Bell’s due diligence and qualification review.
“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.”
“The growth potential of the local aviation industry extends beyond air transport,” said INAEC President Benjamin “Jay” R. Lopez. “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,”
The appointment further strengthens Bell’s global support network of over 50 authorized service centers, with INAEC named as the seventh AMC in Asia-Pacific. Bell supports more than 1,600 helicopters across Asia, including around 70 aircraft in the Philippines, 15 of which are Bell 429 helicopters.
INAEC brings more than three decades of experience in helicopter operations and maintenance, having operated and maintained Bell helicopters since 1993.
In its early years, the company supported critical missions using the Bell 206 JetRanger, including aerial news coverage for ABS-CBN and offshore transportation for oil and gas companies in the Philippines. In 2015, INAEC expanded its Bell capabilities to include operation and maintenance of the larger, higher-performance Bell 429.
Since then, INAEC has provided maintenance services on Bell 429 aircraft for private owners and general aviation operators nationwide.
