TAM Brazilian Airlines orders 46 Airbus jets

The largest Brazilian airline, TAM Brazilian Airlines, is going to buy 46 Airbus jets, including 22 A350s. The order is worth $6.9 billion at list prices, but the reduction is possible.

Photo: TAM Brazilian Airlines orders 46 Airbus jets

On June 16, 2005 , TAM announced the purchase of 20 additional Airbus A320 family aircraft (plus an additional 20 options). At the same time, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus stating its intent to buy 10 of the new Airbus A350-900 (plus 5 options), with deliveries due to commence at the end of 2010 and to be delivered by 2012. These are expected to replace the A330 on the Paris and Miami routes as they become available.

This Monday marked the transformation of memorandum of understanding into listed firm orders.

A350s will allow TAM's fleet to use the plane in South America , and will contribute to the company’s planned expansion.

TAM will also buy 4 Airbus A330-200 planes and 20 A320s under the order. This kind of order is new and amounts to about $1.5 billion.