Jay R. Lopez (center), INAEC president, receives the IS-BAO Stage 3 accreditation certificate from Kurt Edwards (right), IBAC director general, during simple ceremonies at INAEC’s Hangar D in Pasay. At left is Capt. Florendo Jose Aquino III of the CAAP Flight Standards Inspectorate ServiceInaec Aviation Corporation has become the only air transport operator in the Philippines to achieve Stage 3 certification for its successful implementation of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). IS-BAO constitutes the international standard developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) for the best international safety practices among business aviation operators. IBAC is the international trade association representing international business aviation through its observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization.

For its Stage 3 certification, INAEC underwent an in-person audit by OmniSafe International, an Australian company specializing in safety risk management, auditing and other services. Mark Lilley, managing director of OmniSafe International, conducted the audit through technical inspections, document reviews and personnel interviews.

INAEC achieved IS-BAO Stage 3 certification through a clear demonstration that its safety management system (SMS) is sustained and supported by a continual improvement process and its safety management activities are fully integrated into the organization’s business. This entailed an in-depth examination of the systems, procedures and processes of INAEC’s aircraft operations in relation to its safety management systems and the ISBAO program.

“IS-BAO was perfect for us to be able to benchmark ourselves and measure our improvements over Stage 1, 2 and 3 and be able to compare ourselves to the best international operators in the world. It was a way for us to look ourselves in the mirror and say that ‘Yes, we are a safe operation.’ And one of the additional results of our Stage 3 recognition is that it allows us in INAEC to have a platform of confidence to grow our business not just locally but even internationally. It’s a message not just to us, but even companies like us in the Philippines, that we can be world-class,” said Jay R. Lopez, INAEC president.

Kurt Edwards, IBAC director general, recognized INAEC’s achievement. “INAEC celebrated achieving Stage 3 of IS-BAO, meaning they have demonstrated to us full implementation of the program, including a mature and robust safety culture. They are the only Stage 3 operator in the Philippines. For me, it was a real pleasure to meet the team and see first-hand their enthusiasm with the engagement. I took away a genuine commitment to safety that is based on a framework that is transparent and clear to all of them. INAEC is also the only ISBAH-registered organization in the Philippines and they are looking forward to developing the SMS in ground handling as they have done in aircraft operations.”

Edwards further said: “An effective safety management system promotes a culture of continuous improvement and enhances safety and operational efficiency, and these are all things that customers appreciate, and it shows. The most recent audits of INAEC highlighted that the safety program of the organization was solid and had a top-down organizational buy-in and motivation to identify areas of improvement.”

“Achieving IS-BAO Stage 3 certification is a major undertaking, and it is a clear demonstration of your commitment to providing your clients and stakeholders with the safest and most reliable aviation services possible. As the national civil aviation authority, CAAP has always aimed to achieve excellence and safety in air transport operations in the Philippines. That is why INAEC’s milestone in the IS-BAO Stage 3 is a moment of pride for us as well. [INAEC’s] dedication to safety is an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to have INAEC as a partner in the aviation industry,” said Capt. Florendo Jose Aquino III, acting assistant director general II, Flight Standards Inspectorate Service of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Celebrating INAEC’s Stage 3 milestone

(Story/Photos by:Maila Banaag)