TAM and LAN to Implement Business Alliance
May 09 2007 - 12:35PM
PR Newswire (US)
SAO PAULO, Brazil, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TAM Linhas
Aereas (Bovespa: TAMM4 and NYSE: TAM), TAM Mercosur and the LAN
Alliance -- comprised of LAN Airlines, LAN Peru, LAN Argentina and
LAN Ecuador -- have decided to formalize a business alliance.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO )
The agreement aims to develop partnerships in routes operated by
these companies in South America, broadening passengers' options to
fly to several destinations around the continent. Thus, TAM will
expand its flight offer in South America to include a more complete
and diversified network for its passengers. In addition, clients of
LAN Alliance companies will enjoy the ease of traveling routes
operated by TAM and TAM Mercosur, with multiple hours and frequency
options. This broad integration will be possible through the
business alliance, which will be implemented within the next
months. One of the benefits passengers will enjoy with this
business alliance is being able to travel with a single ticket from
the beginning to the end of the route, in addition to the
possibility of using the companies' VIP areas. Another advantage is
the accrual of the TAM Fidelity Program and the LANPASS, benefiting
passengers who travel frequently. For TAM's CEO, Marco Antonio
Bologna, the alliance with LAN represents an important step towards
the regional integration process in South America, thus stimulating
the distribution of passengers in the Brazilian, Chilean,
Argentinean, Peruvian, Venezuelan and other markets. "TAM and LAN
passengers can rely on a wider variety of flights while enjoying
all of the advantages of both companies' fidelity programs," said
Bologna, who points out that the agreement also reinforces TAM's
strategy of maintaining partnerships with leading companies in the
markets where it operates. Enrique Cueto, LAN's vice-chief
executive officer, said, "Thanks to this agreement, our passengers
will enjoy an excellent network that will make their travels
easier. This will encourage commercial agreements already existing
between the countries, fomenting tourism and bilateral cooperation
in the region." Investor Relations Contact: Phone: (55) (11)
5582-9715 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8149 http://www.tam.com.br/ri Press
Agency Contact: Phone: (55) (11) 5582-8167 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8155
About TAM: The company (http://www.tam.com.br/) has been the
Brazilian domestic market leader since July 2003, and closed last
April with a 50.72% market share. The company flies to 48
destinations throughout Brazil. With the commercial agreements
executed with regional companies, it reaches 75 destinations
outside the national territory. TAM's operations in South America
include direct flights to Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Santiago
(Chile). Within six months, TAM will start operating daily flights
to Caracas, in Venezuela. With TAM Mercosur, it also serves
Asuncion and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), Cordoba (Argentina),
Montevideo (Uruguay), Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba
(Bolivia). In April, TAM's international market share was 69.7%
among Brazilian airlines. International operations include long
haul direct flights to the following destinations: New York and
Miami (USA), Paris (France), London (England) and Milan (Italy). It
also maintains commercial agreements with international companies
that allow passengers to fly to a wide variety of destinations
worldwide. A pioneer in the launch of a Loyalty Program for
airlines in Brazil, TAM currently has 3.8 million members and has
awarded more than 4.2 million tickets. About LAN: LAN Airlines is
one of Latin America's leading airlines. LAN is integrated by LAN
Airlines, LAN Express, LAN Peru, LAN Ecuador, and LAN Argentina, as
well as LAN Cargo and its affiliates. LAN Alliance serves 15
destinations in Chile, 12 in Peru, 10 in Argentina, two in Ecuador,
15 destinations in other Latin American countries and Caribbean,
three in the United States two in Europe and four in the South
Pacific, in addition to 52 additional international destinations
through several code-share agreements. Currently, the LAN Alliance
operates 68 passenger aircraft and 10 freighters. LAN Airlines is a
member of OneWorld(TM). It has bilateral commercial agreements with
American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Qantas and also with
Alaska Airlines, AeroMexico, TAM, Korean Air and JAL. For more
information visit http://www.lan.com/ or
http://www.oneworldalliance.com/
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO
DATASOURCE: TAM CONTACT: TAM: Investors, +011-5511-5582-9715, fax,
+011-5511-5582-8149, , or media, +011-5511-5582-8167, fax,
+011-5511-5582-8155, Web site: http://www.tam.com.br/
http://www.lan.com/ http://www.oneworldalliance.com/
Copyright