TAM signs MOU for 20 A320s, five A350s

TAM yesterday signed an MOU with Airbus at the Berlin Air Show for 20 new A320 family aircraft and five additional A350-900s.

If finalized, the deal would bring TAM's total number of A320 family aircraft on order for future delivery to 64 and its A350 orders to 27. It also has three A330-200s on order.

The five A350-900s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. TAM did not select an engine for the 20 A320s.

"With this new order, we can offer our customers one of the youngest fleets in the world of aviation," CEO Libano Barroso said. "Additionally, these new aircraft will allow us to continue our strategy of operating a common fleet throughout our domestic market."

Airbus noted that the last five years have marked its "most successful period in Latin America with 325 aircraft sold and a record backlog of more than 230 aircraft orders to be delivered to its Latin American customers. Today, more than 370 Airbus aircraft are flying with 23 Latin American airlines, representing more than 40% of the fleet in service."