The INAEC and Iloilo as the birthplace of Philippine aviation

While many of us know that Philippine Air Lines, now Philippine Airlines, is the very first airline in the Philippines, some people claim otherwise, saying that the Iloilo – Negros Air Express Co (INAEC) holds that title. INAEC had its first inaugural flight in 1933, raising questions about which is the oldest airline in the Philippines. Additionally, Iloilo is said to be the birthplace of Philippine aviation.

Capt. Jose “Peping” Tinsay and Iloilo

Iloilo is said to be the birthplace of Philippine commercial aviation. In 1925, an Ilonggo aviator named Jose “Peping” Tinsay flew a Curtiss Oriole biplane from Iloilo to Bacolod flying above the Guimaras Strait. Captain Tinsay was a known aviator-cum-entrepreneur who flew his plane for his buy-and-sell business. As an entrepreneur, Capt. Peping Tinsay would transport his goods like bangus, crabs, talaba, and assorted items from Iloilo to be sold in Manila. He would then fly “scarce” items like canned goods, flour, shoes, and other items from Manila to be sold in Iloilo City.

The Curtiss Oriole is a biplane built by Curtiss Aircraft in 1919. It was a general-purpose plane that could carry three people: one pilot and two passengers. The Curtiss Oriole is powered by a Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled V8 engine that produces 90 hp. It has a maximum speed of 86 mph and a cruise speed of 69 mph. The aircraft has a range of 937 km.

INAEC or the Iloilo – Negros Air Express Co.

It is not for me to say whether they are the first airline in the Philippines or not, but I just want to share a bit of its history. The INAEC was founded in 1932 by Iloilo-native Don Eugenio Lopez Sr., hence, the hub was Iloilo. Using its first aircraft, a Stinson Tri-motor, the airline launched its inaugural flight from Iloilo to Manila in 1933. Within a year, INAEC opened regular services from Iloilo to Manila, Bacolod, and Cebu, then later on to Zamboanga and Davao. The airline’s main base was the Iloilo Aerodome.

In 1937, INAEC purchased two Sikorsky S-43 amphibians to expand its operations in the Philippines. At the time, Sikorsky was a widely acclaimed aircraft builder, supplying Pan American Airlines with both four-engine and twin-engine planes. The twin-engine S-43 was known as the “Baby Clipper,” which could land on both sea and land. This aircraft became ideally suited for the Philippines. This service also saw the first flight steward in the country.

In 1940, INAEC reportedly carried 2,000 passengers per month. In December 1941, disaster struck when the entire fleet was destroyed during the Japanese invasion. INAEC was resurrected as Far East Air Transport Inc., with its inaugural flight from Grace Park Caloocan to Iloilo. In 1947, FEATI was sold by the Lopez brothers and eventually merged into Philippine Airlines.

Aircraft of the INAEC

INAEC purchased two Stinson SM-6000 Tri-Motor airplanes each for $26,000. This American-built aircraft has a crew of two and is powered by three Lycoming R-680 engines that produce 215hp. It can carry up to 10 passengers and has a range of 628 km.

They later purchased two Sikorsky S-43 aircraft. Known as the “Baby Clipper,” this aircraft can carry 19 passengers and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1690-52 Hornet 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines producing 750 hp each. These aircraft have a range of 1,247 km.

The rebirth of the INAEC

The Lopez Group of Companies decided to revive the INAEC in 1993. In 2001, INAEC transformed itself once again – this time into an air charter operator capable of meeting the heightened demand by third parties for air charter services, both domestic and international.

INAEC has evolved into a multi-mission aviation company offering an even wider range of aviation services, from domestic and international air charters to medical evacuation, aircraft management, aircraft maintenance, and fixed base operations. At present, INAEC is the sole domestic air transport provider for oil and gas producers (OGP) in the Philippines.

Some people are saying that INAEC was actually the first airline in the Philippines

Some aviation enthusiasts are saying that Philippine Airlines was not the first airline in the country, but it was INAEC. I am in no position to say whether it is or not, but here are just some points to ponder:

• Philippine Airlines started out as the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company in 1930, which initiated Manila to Iloilo flights in 1931 and later expanded to include flights from Manila to Baguio. In 1941, Philippine Air Lines Inc. acquired the franchise of the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company and was subsequently renamed Philippine Air Lines.
• INAEC was founded in 1932 and commenced its first flight from Iloilo to Manila in 1933.
• Philippine Airlines’ first flight commenced on March 15, 1941.
• Philippine Airlines continues to operate, while INAEC, which later became FEATI in 1947, was sold and merged with Philippine Airlines. INAEC was revived in 1993.