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Scheduled passenger and non-dedicated cargo service, domestic and international operator. Airline can trace its roots to air taxi service TAM Taxi Aereo Marilia founded in 1961. In 1971 3 of its pilots lead by Rolim Amaro purchased the company. In 1976 a joint venture with VASP was established as TAM Linhas Aéreas Regionais to carry out regional feeder service to communities abandoned after airline switched to jet equipment. VASP provided airplanes in exchange for a stake in the new venture.
In August 1986 new name TAM Linha Aérea Regional was adopted.
First airliner jet a Fokker 100 was acquired in September 1989. Company acquired in the same year another regional airline operating in North and Central regions by VOTEC called Brasil Central Linha Aerea. This operation was In 1996 renamed TAM Transportes Aéreos Meridionais. TAM now operated two brands with two IATA codes JJ and KK.
In 1996 TAM purchased controlling interest in fledgling Paraguayan airline LAPSA. It re-branded it to TAM Mercosur and started international operations to neighboring countries. This operation has been renamed TAM Airlines.
In 1997, placed a large order with Airbus for 10 A330s 4 A319s and 34 A320s. It was part of joint order of Airbuses with LAN Chile, TAM and TACA. Upon receiving its first A330, the first international long haul service was inaugurated, flying to Miami in December 1998. Two years later TAM added CDG in Paris. Airline has added Madrid, London, Milan and Frankfurt to its schedule since then. Because of demise of VASP and collapse of VARIG, TAM has become Brazil's largest airline. In May 2001, Zurich and Frankfurt were added to its network. TAM picked up additional international routes previously flown by VASP, namely Buenos Aires. In 2003 TAM and VARIG discussed a possible merger, but with TAM's growth and VARIG's shrinking the merger has become unnecessary.
Airline is largely owned by Amaro family (70% stake) who had been involved with the airline since 1971.
Airline acquired regional airline Pantanal, which operates out of Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport, in December 2009.
The airline concluded the merger with LAN in June 2012, creating the LATAM Airlines Group, one of the largest airline groups in the world. In May 2016, it was renamed LATAM Airlines Brasil, as part of integration of all of the LATAM brands.
founded - demised (age)
July 12 1976 - present (48years)
headquarters
Av. Jurandir, 856, Hangar VII, 3.o andar, CEP 04072-000, Sao Paulo
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (150)