Brazil’s largest airline company, has received another Airbus aircraft A320. The aircraft will be incorporated as of the coming weekend.It will be the seventh airbus A320 incorporated this year into TAM’s fleet, bringing the total to 88 aircraft, of which 66 are Airbus models—13 A319, 43 A320, and 10 A330 (two are subleased but will be returned to the company this year).

TAM expects its fleet to achieve a minimum of 96 airplanes at the end of 2006.

The aircraft is part of a total delivery of 29 A320 family aircraft contracted from Airbus in June 2005 that includes the option of another 20 aircraft.

Additionally, last June the company announced the signing of a MOU with the manufacturer for the acquisition of another 37 Airbus aircraft—15 A319, 16 A320 and 6 A330, with deliveries scheduled until 2010, the same period for receiving the 28 aircraft remaining from the previous contract. TAM’s strategical plan foresees an operational fleet of 127 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 the past months. According to ANAC (Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil), the Brazilian authority, the domestic market increased 21.5% in the period from January to June. During the same period, year-on-year, TAM increased 33.7%.

With this new A320, TAM strengthens its policy of operating a young aircraft fleet, offering more comfort to passengers with a high technology product.
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