TAM Signs Firm Contract for Acquisition of 22 A350 XWBs, four A330-200s and 20 A320 aircraft
January 21 2008 - 12:24PM
PR Newswire (US)
Company will be the first in Latin America to incorporate the A350
in its fleet dedicated to international long haul flights SAO
PAULO, Brazil, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TAM Linhas Aereas
(Bovespa: TAMM4; NYSE: TAM) firmed up its order for 22 A350 XWBs
(Xtra Wide Body) 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 this region on order and will
be the first in Latin America to incorporate this aircraft into its
fleet. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO ) TAM also
confirmed the acquisition of four A330-200 aircraft 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 A319's, 70 A320's, three A330-200's and two
A340-500's, 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. " The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus'
response to widespread market demand for a series of highly
efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. The A350
has the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented
levels of comfort, the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile
cost of the aircraft of this market segment. The aircraft is
designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising
passenger expectations, and environmental concerns. The A330 has
low operating costs, and the largest and most comfortable
passenger's cabin on its category. TAM already operates 12 A330-200
aircraft in its international long haul routes. The 88 aircraft
from the A320 family in the Company's fleet are used in Brazilian
and other South America routes. Investor Relations: Press Agency
Contact: Phone: (55) (11) 5582-9715 Phone: (55) (11) 5582-8167 Fax:
(55) (11) 5582-8149 Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8155
http://www.tam.com.br/ir MVL Comunicacao Phone: (55) (11) 3594-0302
/ 0304 / 0305 About TAM: TAM Linhas Aereas (http://www.tam.com.br/)
has been domestic market leader since July of 2003, and closed the
month of December 2007 with a 48.6% market share. The company flies
to 47 destinations in Brazil. With commercial agreements signed
with regional companies, it reaches 81 different destinations
nationwide. TAM's market share among Brazilian companies operating
international airlines was 70% in December. Operations abroad
include direct flights to eleven destinations: New York and Miami
(USA), Paris (France), London (England), Milan (Italy), Frankfurt
(Germany), Madrid (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Santiago
(Chile), Caracas (Venezuela) and Montevideo (Uruguay). With TAM
Mercosur, it also serves Asuncion and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay),
Cordoba (Argentina), Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba
(Bolivia), among other South American cities. It has code-share
agreements with international companies, allowing for the sharing
of seats on flights with international companies, enabling
passengers to travel to 62 other destinations in the USA, South
America and Europe. A pioneer in Brazil's airline industry with the
launch of its Programa Fidelidade frequent flyer program, TAM today
has more than 4.3 million members and has issued more than 5
million tickets redeemed with frequent flyer points.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO
DATASOURCE: TAM CONTACT: Libano Miranda Barroso, TAM Investor
Relations, +011-55-11-5582-9715, fax, +011-55-11-5582-8149, Web
site: http://www.tam.com.br/
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