ANNnews
12 February 2026
WHEN VOCATION TURNS INTO BUSINESS
He learned the value of hard work from the bottom up, took on responsibilities, and dreamed big.
A story of leadership, commitment, and business vision based on consistency between values and action.
We would like to thank him for his courage in listening to destiny at a decisive moment and taking that important step: opting to acquire a share of the company he had successfully led, now known as Aernnova. A move that transformed his role from manager to entrepreneur, taking on the challenge with determination and complete conviction. This was the moment that culminated his natural evolution towards entrepreneurship, taking risks with the same serenity and determination that had marked his entire career.
His most recognizable values: austerity, discretion, a solid work ethic, and unlimited dedication to the growth of his project. He knew how to unite and retain a team that has accompanied him for decades, reflecting confidence and setting an example.
He had that intangible quality that defines true leaders: the ability to inspire, to create a future, and to turn challenges into opportunities.
“It has been an honor to have shared this journey with you. Thank you for your inspiration and leadership. Rest in peace.”
Blanca Vicente
“Iñaki founded Aernnova and led it for many years with extraordinary conviction and vision; that was the kind of person he was. He involved all of us in major challenges that, without him, I doubt would have been possible. He led us with calmness and great humanity, making us feel that all challenges were possible. He inspired us all with his common sense approach to tackling challenges from a deeply industrial perspective. We have lost our long-standing mentor, but his legacy and spirit live on in all of us who were fortunate enough to work with him. A magnificent professional and an extraordinary person.”
Daniel Erice
“Since Tuesday, February 3, when we received the sad and shocking news of Iñaki’s passing, a flood of images and anecdotes have come to mind. More than 20 years of boasting about being “president,” proud to have been part of his team, to have shared meetings where his seriousness, discretion, and industrial engineer character set an example of leadership to be emulated. Thank you for being an ENTREPRENEUR in capital letters, a leader of great teams. But also thank you for your warmth, for pushing me on the percentage of women at Aernnova, for taking an interest in our families… Hopefully, we will be able to live up to your legacy. R.I.P.””
Gemma Ortiz de Barrón
2007. Training center in Queretaro to train our first class of operators in Mexico.
“At the end of 2007, we embarked on our adventure in Mexico, and one of the first steps was to open the school for our first class of operators. A few days later, Iñaki came to meet the team. I remember how nervous the guys were at first, but that disappeared as soon as he started talking to them in his usual friendly manner. His visit gave us confidence and a decisive boost to keep going. It was a very special moment for all of us.”
Javier Pérez Alcaide
“Thank you, deeply, for everything you left us. Your business family will continue to safeguard your legacy with respect, gratitude, and loyalty, honoring each of your teachings.”
Lola Miret
After accompanying Ricardo Chocarro to his last Executive Committee, Iñaki came to wish Blanca and me Happy Holidays, as always very attentive and friendly to us:
“Iñaki, you look fantastic, the years haven’t touched you…” we said, “we miss you a lot,” “come back soon,” and smiling… as he left, he said, “don’t worry, don’t worry…”
For me, Iñaki was always a very modest, kind, and approachable person who conveyed a sense of calm in any circumstance…
I am very grateful to have been able to share my career with him at this great company, AERNNOVA.
Iñaki was not only a great leader, he was also a great person.
Natalia López de Foronda
“This picture was taken over 30 years ago. On that trip to Brazil we took for the maiden flight of the Embraer 145, I remember innocently asking who the man with the mustache sitting to my right was. And I also remember the answer: “Kid… that’s the boss!”
Santiago Azcárraga
“I have worked closely to Iñaki for more than thirty years, during which time I have always admired his strategic vision and caution when making important decisions, always aimed at adding value to everything he undertook. Naturally, we sometimes had different points of view, but always based on respect, dialogue, and mutual trust. Thanks to his drive, SERVICES now has facilities, inaugurated in 2018 (photo), that are in line with our growth and our needs. It is a shame that we were unable to inaugurate that paint booth that was planned so many times and which, with his usual sense of humor, he always anticipated by saying: “I know you’re going to ask me for the booth, but…”. Behind that great entrepreneur was, above all, a great person: approachable, friendly, easy to get along with and, although it may not always have seemed so, also with a sense of humor. Iñaki leaves a deep mark on ANN, not only for everything he built, but also for the way he did it and for the indelible memory he leaves in those of us who were lucky enough to share the journey with him. Iñaki, don’t worry, your legacy will remain as long as there is a person who has worked at ANN.”
Carlos Sainz
“2015: Diploma ceremony for the final group of students on the Aernnova Engineering Aeronautical Structures training program. More than 100 engineers participated in this training program, which began in 2012 and ended in 2015, and which led to the creation of the Aernnova office in Zamudio. Iñaki, the promoter of this initiative, reminded us, as always, of the values that should guide our professional careers within a large group such as AERNNOVA: commitment to all customers, both external and internal; teamwork; and adaptation to change.”
José I. Uriarte
“I joined what was then Gamesa Aeronáutica when Aernnova was still in its infancy, and since then the tone has remained the same. Austerity, intelligent growth, autonomy, and above all, putting people first. Iñaki was the father and driving force behind this concept, and he maintained it until he left us. Aernnova has many “children” of Iñaki, and I consider myself one of them. Although we never had our titanium machine in Tarazona, we are what we are thanks to that vision. I pay tribute to and remember him, as he will be difficult to forget.”
Juan Pedro Labat
“On February 15, 2011, Aernnova Composites Illescas was inaugurated, a clear example of Iñaki’s commitment to composite technology as the future. With public-private collaboration, he managed to get the project off the ground . A challenge that today we can say is a success, thanks to his commitment, support, and trust in the team.”
Enrique Moles
“The awarding of the “Euskal makila” to Embraer representatives (Antonio Carlos Garcia, CFO, and Francisco Gomes Neto, CEO) at the signing of the purchase of Aernnova Evora signifies respect, honor, and value for those to whom it is given. Iñaki possessed these values very strongly in relation to the people at Aernnova and with customers. I am sure that Embraer took Aernnova’s track record in terms of these values into account when choosing the new manager for its flagship manufacturing unit, the newest and most advanced in its organization.”
Heribert Schrage
