In January 2021, INAEC Aviation Corporation (INAEC) successfully achieved its Stage 2 Certification for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) following a rigorous audit of its aviation operations by OmniSafe International, an Australian company that specializes in safety risk management, auditing and other services for the international aviation community. INAEC remains the sole Philippine commercial aviation operator to have garnered this distinction.

IS-BAO is a code of best aviation practices developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) aimed at establishing systems and procedures to ensure professionalism, safety, and excellence among business aircraft operators. In January 2019, INAEC earned the IS-BAO Stage 1 Certification after demonstrating that its Safety Management System (SMS) has been documented, approved, resourced, and implemented at the time of audit.

An IS-BAO Stage 2 Certification requires meeting recognized standards to prove that safety management activities are appropriately targeted and that safety risks are effectively managed. A Stage 2 Certification requires a thorough review of an operator’s SMS, organization, training, flight operations, maintenance, and emergency response processes, among others.

Notwithstanding the current COVID-19 pandemic, INAEC pushed through with the Stage 2 Certification process via remote audit as part of its continuing commitment to adopt, and meet, the highest standards of safety and excellence in its aviation operations.  The remote audit was conducted in accordance with the procedures and guidelines set by IBAC in 2020.

Glenn Perez, INAEC’s Head of Corporate Services, said, “The conduct of the remote audit involved a month-long preparation, from document review to audit proper.  It was a positive experience as we demonstrated our systems and safety performance through a video conference platform. Personnel interviews, technical inspections, and document reviews were successfully performed online.”

“The IS-BAO assists operators to reach safety standards based on a recommended code of best practices designed to help flight departments worldwide achieve high levels of safety and professionalism. The standard is accepted worldwide as the benchmark for safety and efficiency in business aircraft operations. We are truly pleased with the outcome of our audit with INAEC. They exhibited both readiness and willingness in showing their ongoing commitment in implementing and progressing their safety risk management systems and processes,” said Mark Lilley, Managing Director of OmniSafe International.

“This IS-BAO audit is a welcome opportunity because we understand the high stakes involved in aviation safety. Our commitment to safety translates to protecting the lives and property of our people and passengers. Especially during these times, this gains even greater urgency when the continued delivery of services by our clients is so essential to our nation’s recovery. This IS-BAO Stage 2 certification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our people and proves, without a doubt, that safety is indeed our passion,” said Mr. Benjamin “Jay” Lopez, President of INAEC.”