BRAZIL: LATAM Airlines Group Merger

The merger of South American powerhouses LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines was set in motion. With an initial agreement signed on August 13, 2010, Chile-based LAN joined forces with Brazil’s TAM. Though that merger closed in 2012, both airlines have continued to operate under their own respective brands.
Similar to other airline mergers, a new parent company was formed, under which both TAM and LAN operated. LATAM Airlines Group has consolidated several administrative functions for its subsidiaries. However, the day to day operations have remained separate.

LATAM Airlines Group has made it no secret that eventually all the airlines would operate under a single brand. However what that brand would be was left wide open. They could have picked one of the existing brands. In addition to the original Chilean LAN, the airline also has subsidiaries throughout much of Spanish-speaking South America. There is LAN Ecuador, LAN Peru, and LAN Argentina, as well as LAN Cargo, just to name a few. Meanwhile, TAM is a powerhouse in Portugese-speaking Brazil. To pick one brand or the other risked alienating half of the combined airline’s customers.

There were other branding options however. An entirely new name and branding were one possibility. Alternatively, the combined name adopted by the parent company could become the name for the combined airline.

At a press conference in São Paulo earlier this morning, that is exactly what was announced. Beginning in early 2016, the LAN and TAM brands will combine into LATAM airlines. Not only does the new name combine the names of its predecessors, it evokes the company’s Latin American roots.

The whole integration process is expected to take approximately 3 years to complete and cost the airline $30-40 million USD. Much of that expense is the cost of repainting the combined fleet of aircraft.
While the combined airline’s name may be rooted in the names of its predecessors, the logo is completely different. LATAM has chosen a color palette of indigo and coral for the new branding. For a logo, the airline picked a stylized map of South America with lines that reach towards their global destinations.

While the new branding was announced this morning, it is not yet entirely complete. New crew uniforms are coming as part of this rebranding. A new livery for the airline’s aircraft is coming too. The new livery will be unveiled later, with the first aircraft in the new scheme being painted early in 2016.

Between LAN and TAM, LATAM Airlines Group has well over 100 aircraft on order. Notably, they will receive the first A350-900 in December of this year. Due to the complexities involved with painting newly manufactured aircraft, livery decisions must be finalized 12 to 18 months before delivery. As a result, the initial A350 deliveries will be in the current TAM livery.

With the announcement of a new name and logo, one of the final steps in the merger process is now in motion. The coming months should prove interesting as additional elements of the rebranding are put in place.

USA: LAN and TAM “Make Flight” During Art Basel Miami

Renowned local installation artist Ryan Farrell tapped to create interactive experience that captures magic of flight
LAN Airlines and its affiliates, and TAM Airlines, both part of LATAM Airlines Group, South America’s largest airline group, have enlisted internationally acclaimed South Florida based artist

Ryan Farrell to create “Make Flight,” an interactive experience that captures the passion of flight. Today, the piece will be unveiled during Art Basel Miami – when 15 bicycles will power three propellers that will cause a plane sculpture to “Make Flight.” The plane’s ‘take off’ will be a regular occurrence during Art Basel as visitors to the installation can participate in the interactive exhibit.

“LATAM Airlines Group is committed to innovation and we are passionate about the art of making flight, so our partnership with Ryan Farrell, an innovative and inventive sculptor, makes it possible for us to translate this passion into something that we can share with our passengers,” said Pablo Chiozza, Vice President, USA, Canada and the Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group. “Farrell’s exhibit captures our passion for flight through a visionary combination of imagination, art and engineering.”

LAN Airlines recently merged with Brazilian carrier TAM to form the LATAM Airlines Group, offering passengers more flights to more destinations than any other airline group in South America. Through this collaboration with artist Ryan Farrell, the largest airline group in South America is able to translate its passion for flight and service into a unique interactive experience that puts the ability to make flight into the hands of the passenger.

Farrell, a University of Miami, MFA Alum '11 and a South Florida College Professor, grew up with an appreciation for aviation and travel. The exhibit encompasses his three passions: bicycles, travel and all things social. “‘Make Flight’ is more than just 15 bikes, 3 propellers and a plane,” said Farrell. “It is a social experiment – participation and conversation are fundamental to the installation’s success.”

Visitors can help “Make Flight” by stopping by the installation, conveniently located at the MAPS Production House Backlot Studio and Event Space at 342 NW 24th Street right along the art walk in the Wynwood District. “Make Flight” opens to the public at 2pm on December 6 and will remain open through December 9. Admission is free. In addition, passengers can register and enter the “Make Flight” sweepstakes for the chance to win exciting prizes from bikes to flights to South America’s most sought after destinations on LAN and TAM. For more information and terms and conditions please visit www.letsmakeflight.com

FRANCE: TAM Airlines Reveals First A350 XWB

The first A350 XWB for TAM Airlines rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, revealing the aircraft in its signature red, white and blue livery. The aircraft will continue through the next stages of production, including the installation of engines, completion of cabin furnishing and cockpit fitting, before starting ground and flight tests.

The aircraft is scheduled for delivery to TAM Airlines in December. TAM will become the first airline from the Americas to fly the A350 XWB and the fourth operator in the world.

LATAM Airlines Group, made up of LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines, has ordered 27 A350-900. The carrier will start operating the A350 XWB in January 2016 between Sao Paulo and Manaus, followed by international operations between Sao Paulo and Miami, and Sao Paulo and Madrid.

The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus wide-body product line. The A350-900 seating up to 325 passengers in a three class layout can fly on routes of up to 7,600 nautical miles. I features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Together, these latest technologies bring unrivalled level of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. For passengers, the A350 XWB brings new levels of in-flight comfort, with more personal space in all classes.