Representatives with engine manufacturer CFM International tell ANN that TAM Brazilian Airlines has taken delivery of its first CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A320 family aircraft. In addition, the airline placed an order for installed and spare engines to power 16 additional A320s. The order is valued at $245 million at list price.

CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between Snecma and General Electric Company. More than 16,100 CFM56 engines have been delivered to date to more than 450 operators around the globe making CFM the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.

This newest order brings TAM's total CFM-powered A320 order to 41 firm aircraft. The airline, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in early 2006, is scheduled to take delivery of all of its aircraft by late 2010. The order is a continuation of TAM's fleet renewal and expansion program and will be used on the airline's domestic and South American routes.

"We are very pleased with the start of CFM-powered A320 operations in Brazil," said Doug Izarra, Latin America & Caribbean Regional Sales General Manager for CFM International. "This new order is a testament of TAM's confidence in CFM reliability and overall economics. CFM is proud to be the powerplant of choice for this next batch of A320s."

FMI: www.cfm56.com, www.tam.com.br/b2c/jsp/default.jhtml