TAM S.A. will receive two new Airbus aircraft: one A319 and one A320, which will start flying next week. These are the 11th and 12th A319/320 aircraft incorporated into the company’s operating fleet which now has 93 aircraft, consisting of 71 Airbus - 14 A319, 47 A320 and 10 A330.

TAM expects its fleet to have a minimum of 96 airplanes by the end of 2006.

The aircraft are part of contracts, which foresee the acquisition of 61 Airbus aircraft - 15 A319, 40 A320 and 6 A330 - to be delivered by 2010. The contracts include the option of an additional 20 aircraft. TAM’s strategic 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 few months. According to ANAC, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, the domestic market increased 14.7% in the period from January to September. During the same period, year-on-year, TAM increased 31.4%. The company held a 51.7% domestic market share in September 2006.

Manufactured with high technology, the Airbus A320 has the capacity to transport up to 174 passengers and the A319 can hold up to 144 passengers. With these new A320 and A319, TAM strengthens its policy of operating a young aircraft fleet, offering more comfort to passengers with a high-tech product.
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