TAM Linhas Aéreas (São Paulo Congonhas) will finalize negotiations with Embraer (EMB, São José dos Campos Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf) for an order for thirty Regional Jets before the end of the current quarter. The aircraft are part of a plan to help bolster the carrier's domestic Brazilian network.
TAM President, Marco Bologna, says that the order with the Brazilian manufacturer will include eighteen E2 E-Jets with options for an additional twelve of the type.
“Our plans call for the use of new-generation aircraft,” he said. “Now we only need to conclude these negotiations with competitive prices and adequate financing conditions”.
Until such time that the aircraft are delivered, he added, TAM would look to either lease in aircraft or operate domestic flights using its A319-100s - the smallest type currently in its fleet.
Having focussed primarily on regional and international operations, TAM has now turned its attention to the local market which government plans to subsidize using its Regional Aviation Development Program. The airline recently signed a codeshare agreement with domestic operator Passaredo Linhas Aéreas (Ribeirão Preto Leite Lopes) which, pending regulatory approval, will add nine more local destinations to its network.
