TAM Receives New Airbus A320; Fleet Totals 94 Aircraft
November 17 2006 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
SAO PAULO, Brazil, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TAM S.A.
(BOVESPA: TAMM4; NYSE: TAM), today received another Airbus aircraft
A320 that starts operating today November 17. This is the 13th
Airbus A320/319 family incorporated this year into TAM's fleet,
bringing the total to 94 aircraft, of which 72 are Airbus models --
14 A319, 48 A320, and 10 A330. TAM expects its fleet to achieve 96
airplanes at the end of 2006. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO ) The
aircraft is part of contracts that still foresee the acquisition of
60 Airbus aircraft -- 15 A319, 39 A320 and 6 A330 -- to be
delivered until 2010. The contracts include the option of an
additional 20 aircraft. TAM also announced the acquisition of 4
Boeing 777-300ER with another 4 options to be delivered in 2008.
TAM's strategic plan foresees an operational fleet of 132 Airbus
aircraft by the end of 2010. The new A320 aircraft will fly
domestic routes as well as routes throughout South America,
following the increase in demand observed over past months.
According to ANAC (Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil), the
Brazilian authority, the domestic market increased 13.5% in the
period from January to October. During the same period,
year-on-year, TAM increased 30.8%. The company held a 51.1%
domestic market share in October 2006. Manufactured with high
technology, the Airbus A320 has the capacity to transport up to 174
passengers. With this new A320, TAM strengthens its policy of
operating a young aircraft fleet, offering more comfort to
passengers with a high technology product. About TAM: TAM
(http://www.tam.com.br/) has been the leader in the Brazilian
domestic market for more than three years, and held a 51.1%
domestic market share and 58.2% international market share at the
end of October 2006. TAM operates regular flights to 48
destinations throughout Brazil. It serves 74 different cities in
the domestic market through regional alliances. Additionally, it
maintains code-share agreements with international airline
companies that allow passengers to travel to a large number of
destinations throughout the world. TAM was the first Brazilian
airline company to launch a loyalty program. Currently, the program
has over 3.3 million subscribers and has awarded more than 3.6
million tickets.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: TAM S.A. CONTACT: Investor
Relations: +55-11-5582-9715, or Fax: +55-11-5582-8149, ; or Press
Agency: +55-11-5582-8167, or Fax: +55-11-5582-8155, , for TAM S.A.
Web site: http://www.tam.com.br/
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