Trade unions at Brazil’s two leading airlines are threatening to call workers out on strike over the Christmas period, describing the situation as a “war”. Brazil’s national air worker union has been in talks seeking a pay raise since September, most recently demanding a 13 per cent boost. This is more than twice the industry’s 6.1 per cent offer.

TAM Airlines has undertaken the first successful experimental flight in Latin America using aviation biofuel produced from the oil of the Jatropha curcas, a Brazilian vegetable biomass. The flight took place on the afternoon of 22 November and involved an Airbus A320 from its fleet, prefix PR-MHF, that normally has the capacity to transport up to 174 passengers in regular operation.

Brazilian carrier TAM Linhas Aereas has outlined plans to merge with LAN Airlines of Chile to create the largest carrier in South America. However, discussions remain at a preliminary stage, with any transaction subject to approval from shareholders and regulators.

TAM Airlines, the largest airline in South America, is to relocate its’ London Heathrow operations from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 on Sunday, 28 March 2010. The move is part of TAM’s full integration into the Star Alliance.

According to information received by TAM Airlines from the Chilean aviation authorities, Santiago International Airport (“Arturo Merino Benitez” - SCL) remains closed to commercial flights and there is currently no clear indication as to when the airport will re-open for such services.

TAM, the leading Brazilian airline, has signed a long-term, full content agreement with Sabre Travel Network to extend the airline’s reach through the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS).