LATAM Airlines Group has confirmed it will become a member of the oneworld airline alliance.

The decision, announced at a meeting of the oneworld governing board held in Hong Kong, means Brazil’s TAM Airlines will leave the Star Alliance to join oneworld, along with its Paraguay subsidiary.

Their transition is expected to be completed during 2014’s second quarter.

LAN Colombia, the latest part of LAN, will join oneworld as an affiliate member, in the fourth quarter of 2013.

With Chile’s LAN Airlines flying as a full member of oneworld since June 2000 and LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru added since as affiliate members, today’s announcement will bring all of Latin America’s top airline group into the same global airline alliance.

It will take its place alongside 11 of the other leading carriers from around the world and 30 of their affiliates.

An exact date for TAM’s departure from the Star Alliance will be announced in due course. 

The intention is for it to become part of oneworld immediately after it exits Star.

oneworld governing board chairman Tom Horton said: “Membership of Latin America’s leading airline group, LATAM Airlines Group, in oneworld represents a major landmark in our journey towards establishing oneworld firmly as the first choice airline alliance for travelers not just across the Americas, but the world over.