TAM Airlines firms up commitment to order 25 Airbus aircraft

(July 28, 2010) -- TAM Airlines, Airbus' biggest customer in the Southern Hemisphere and Brazil's largest airline, signed a firm order for 25 eco-efficient Airbus aircraft, bringing the Brazilian airline's total Airbus order book to 176. This order for 20 A320 Family and five A350-900s follows the Memorandum of Understanding announced at ILA Berlin Air Show in June.

TAM's new A320 Family aircraft will replace existing A320 Family aircraft as part of the airline's commitment to keep an average fleet age of six years. Both the A320 Family and A350 XWB fleet will serve the carrier's existing routes and boost eco-efficiency. "We have the commitment to offer our customers one of the youngest fleets in the world of aviation," said Libano Barroso, CEO of TAM Airlines.

As of today, TAM's total Airbus orders have increased to 134 A320 Family aircraft, 15 A330-200s and 27 A350 XWB. 65 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, two A330-200s and 27 A350 XWB are still in the backlog.

"We are extremely pleased with TAM's continued confidence in Airbus, and appreciate the great partnership we have established over the past decade," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "The A320 Family is recognized as being the most modern and efficient single-aisle aircraft around, and through continuous investments the best keeps getting better. TAM's repeat order underlines this aircraft's leadership position in the market."

Source : Airbus, an EADS N.V. company (Paris: EAD.PA)