Firms Up Orders For 66 Planes

Brazilian carrier TAM Linhas Aereas announced Monday it has firmed up its order for 22 A350XWBs, models 800 and 900, to be delivered from 2013 onwards. TAM, Airbus' biggest customer in the southern hemisphere, now has the largest A350 XWB fleet in the region on order, and will be the first in Latin America to incorporate this aircraft into its fleet.

TAM also confirmed Monday the acquisition of four A330-200s, with deliveries from 2010 onwards and of 20 more aircraft from the A320 family. The A320 family aircraft are in addition to the firm order signed in 2005 and 2006 for the same models. According to the price list, the total value of the 46 aircraft is approximately US$ 6.9 billion.

With an operating fleet of 109 aircraft -- of which 102 are Airbus aircraft, including 15 A319s, 70 A320s, three A330-200s and two A340-500s -- TAM operates not only the largest Airbus fleet in Latin America but also maintains the largest number of models from the European manufacturer in the region. TAM's fleet plan remains unchanged; it foresees a fleet of 123 aircraft by the end of this year and 136 aircraft by the end of 2010.

"Airbus aircraft help to build on our excellence standards of through outstanding passenger comfort. The A350 XWB will provide state-of-the-art passenger comfort, while assuring lowest operating costs and low emissions. We add professionalism and know-how," said Captain David Barioni Neto, President of TAM. "The A350 XWB will allow us to continue the successful expansion we have already achieved with our A330s and A320s."

"We are very proud to have TAM, one of the most internationally renowned airlines, as the launch customer for our new A350XWB program in South America," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "This contract is a confirmation of the trust that TAM puts in our successful partnership. We cannot value this confidence highly enough, and are certain this repeat order will also further boost TAM's impressive development."

FMI: www.tam.com.br, www.airbus.com