TAM Welcomes Airbus Fleet Additions

Brazil’s TAM received last week two new A321 Airbuses, delivered directly from the Airbus factory in Hamburg.

These are the first A321 models to be incorporated by the Company into their operational fleet. The aircraft have the capacity to transport up to 220 passengers and will be used by TAM on domestic routes and in South America.

With this purchase, TAM now has 89 Airbus models (15 A319’s, 62 A320’s, 2 A321’s and 10 A330’s), consolidating its position as the European manufacturer’s biggest customer in Latin America.

The A321 is the largest aircraft of the A320 family (including the A318, A319, A320 and A321) and offers the best cost per available seat kilometer (CASK) for medium-sized aircraft. TAM will be the first company in South America to operate flights with the A321.

TAM has already received 18 aircraft this year –as many as 15 planes from the A320 family (including the two A321’s) and three MD-11’s. With the new A321’s, the Company is increasing its operational fleet to 108 aircraft - 89 Airbus models, 16 F-100’s and 3 MD-11’s. The Company is planning to end 2007 with 111 aircraft, and is anticipating a fleet of 136 aircraft by the end of 2011.

The incorporation of the new A321 Airbuses reinforces TAM’s policy of operating a fleet of low average age, assuring greater comfort for its passengers. According to a specialized industry publication, TAM has the youngest fleet of planes in Brazil, with an average age of 7.1 years, while the industry average is 11.2 years.