TAM and Lufthansa signed a Memorandum of Understanding today, in
a starting point for a possible close cooperation. In the coming months,
the two companies will examine various forms of cooperation. The first step
will be the implementation of codesharing on domestic and international
routes. Other possibilities include the optimization of the two companies’
flight schedules and linking TAM’s frequent flyer program, Fidelidade, with
Lufthansa’s Miles & More, as well as reciprocal sharing of VIP lounges in a
number of airports.
“We are happy to find a trusted and professional partner in TAM in the
growing Brazilian market,” said Gotz Ahmelmann, Lufthansa’s Vice President
for Alliances, Strategy and Subsidiaries.
  “Both companies are distinguished as innovators and for their high
levels of quality and credibility. Our customers will soon benefit from our
cooperation,” added Jens Bischof, Lufthansa’s Vice President for the
Americas.
  For Marco Antonio Bologna, President of TAM, the partnership with
Lufthansa is in line with the company’s strategy to seek alliances with
leading companies in destination markets. “We are going to explore possible
synergies between the two companies’ networks, and in doing so, we can
offer new choices for flights in both Brazil and Germany.”
  Paulo Castello Branco, Vice President for Planning and Alliances, adds
that TAM will have a local partner in the German market with a broad
service network.
  Currently, the Lufthansa group offers 20 flights a week between Sao
Paulo and its three hubs in Frankfurt and Munich (Lufthansa), as well as
Zurich (SWISS). Passengers coming from Brazil’s economic metropolis arrive
at their destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa with only
one stop, and rapid transfers. In addition, Lufthansa provides daily
service to its Latin American destinations in Mexico, Caracas, Buenos Aires
and Santiago, Chile (SWISS). In total, Lufthansa serves 192 destinations in
78 countries.
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