Will Be Used On Sao Paulo-London Run

Brazil's TAM received its fourth Boeing 777-300ER this week, which will operate the route Sao Paulo - London beginning this month. Next week a new Airbus A330 aircraft will also join the fleet, which will allow the company to operate additional flights to Miami during the high season.

In order to meet the increased demand from the domestic market during the end-of-year vacations, three Airbus A320 aircraft were received ahead of time and have already been added to the company's fleet.

With the addition of the two wide-bodied aircraft (B777 and A330) TAM's total fleet has increased to 129 aircraft, of which 122 are Airbus models (20 A319s, 81 A320s, three A321s, 16 A330s and two A340s), four are B777-300ERs and three are B767-300s.

The company's fleet plan was also altered with the elimination of one B767-300 aircraft. Despite the change to the fleet plan, the company's estimates for an increase in number of seats available in 2009 for both domestic and international markets have been maintained at 8% and 20%, respectively, measured in ASKs (Available Seat Kilometers). The company has also kept its growth estimate between 5% and 9% in demand from the domestic market.

FMI: www.tam.com.br/, www.boeing.com