Bell Textron Inc., a unit of Textron Inc., has designated INAEC Aviation Corp. as its authorized maintenance provider for Bell 429 helicopters in the Philippines, a move aimed at bolstering the manufacturer’s technical support network in Southeast Asia.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based helicopter maker finalized the appointment in December 2025 following a formal due diligence and qualification review. The partnership allows INAEC to serve as an official Approved Maintenance Center (AMC), making it the seventh such facility for Bell within the Asia-Pacific region.

The decision comes as Bell seeks to solidify its footprint in the Philippines, a market the company describes as a stable and consistent pillar of its regional operations.

Bell currently supports more than 1,600 helicopters throughout Asia, with roughly 70 aircraft located in the Philippines. Of those local units, 15 are the Bell 429 model, a light twin-engine helicopter often used for corporate transport, emergency medical services, and law enforcement.

“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 of global customer solutions at Bell.

Schaefer noted that INAEC’s decades of technical experience were a primary factor in the selection, ensuring that local operators receive maintenance that meets global manufacturer standards.

INAEC’s history with the Bell brand spans more than 30 years. The local aviation firm began operating and maintaining the Bell 206 JetRanger in 1993, utilizing the aircraft for high-profile missions including aerial news gathering for ABS-CBN Corp. and logistics for the offshore oil and gas industry.

The company scaled its operations in 2015 to include the larger, higher-performance Bell 429, providing maintenance and flight services for private owners and general aviation clients across the archipelago.

The domestic aviation market in the Philippines has seen increased demand for specialized maintenance services as fleet sizes grow. While the acquisition cost of a pre-owned Bell 429 can exceed ₱300 million depending on configuration and age, the long-term value for operators is heavily dependent on the availability of certified local parts and labor.

INAEC President Benjamin “Jay” R. Lopez said the appointment highlights the Philippines’ maturing technical capabilities.

“The growth potential of the local aviation industry extends beyond air transport,” Lopez said, adding that the country possesses the specialized skills required to maintain modern, sophisticated aircraft.

By integrating INAEC into its global network of more than 50 authorized service centers, Bell aims to reduce downtime for Filipino operators who previously might have faced logistical hurdles for major service intervals. The move ensures that the growing fleet of 429s in the country remains compliant with international safety and performance benchmarks.