Airline Adds One More Award To Its Shelf

TAM Linhas Aereas was named recipient of the Operational Excellence Award in Airbus A320 aircraft among worldwide airlines that operate the A318/319/320/321 models, reported Airbus.

The recognition by the European manufacturer was based on a detailed technical analysis that recorded the best indicators of operating reliability during the 2005-2006, reflecting the high maintenance technical standard.

The analysis by Airbus took into account the number of flights delayed or cancelled for technical reasons.

In accordance with the latest data related to January 2007 published by Airbus, TAM had an operating reliability index of 99.52 percent for its A319 fleet and 99.57 percent for its A320 aircraft.

This is the third consecutive time that Airbus has certified TAM's maintenance excellence: the company has been recognized as the best worldwide operator of Airbus A319 aircraft in 2003 and as the best operator of A319/320 aircraft in fleets of up to 50 aircraft in 2005.

With an operating fleet with 102 aircraft, 80 of which are Airbus models (15 A319, 55 A320 and 10 A330), in addition to 19 F-100s and 3 MD-11s, TAM has main line maintenance bases at Congonhas and Guarulhos (São Paulo) airports, in addition to specific centers in Recife, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and Porto Alegre.

Major programmed maintenance is performed at TAM's Technological Center, located in in Sao Carlos.

Tam Linhas Aereas, based in São Paulo, Brazil, is the largest Brazilian airline operating scheduled services from São Paulo to major points within Brazil, as well as international flights to neighboring countries and Chile, the US, the UK, France and Italy. It operates regular flights to 48 destinations throughout Brazil and serves 75 different cities in the domestic market through regional alliances.

TAM has been the leader in the Brazilian domestic market for more than three years, and held a 51.7 percent of the domestic market share and 62.9 percent of the international market share at the end of March 2007.

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