TAM Signs Distribution Agreement with GDS

The airline will make its full rate content available through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS), extending the options available to its travel agents and corporate customers in Brazil for issuing TAM tickets 


SAO PAULO, Jan. 14  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TAM (BOVESPA: TAMM4, NYSE: TAM) signed agreements with Sabre and is negotiating with Amadeus and Travelport to make its entire content (rates and inventory) in the Brazilian market available through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) operated by the three companies. With these new partnerships, the airline expands the options available to travel agents and corporate customers in order to issue tickets within Brazil. The expectation is that TAM'S full content shall be available in the three GDSs by the end of the first half of 2010.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080221/SPTH002LOGO )

The company will continue to use the e-TAM portal, its own distribution channel based on Amadeus's technology platform, to make its content available in Brazil. e-TAM will offer the same information contained in the Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport GDSs. With it, travel agents and corporate customers may choose the most convenient tool for their day-to-day use.

Paulo Castello Branco, TAM'S Vice President of Commerce and Planning, states that the new partnerships will operate as an important tool to expand the company's content distribution within the domestic market. "Today's announcement is part of our strategy to be a global company and industry leader. Travel agents and corporate customers will have efficient access to our content, whether through e-TAM, Amadeus, Sabre or Travelport. In this way, the client wins."

The agreements will not have any impact with the end user, who will still be able to purchase airline tickets through travel agencies and TAM stores, and also through the call center and the company's website.

  Investor Relations:
  Phone: (55) (11) 5582-9715
  Fax: (55) (11) 5582-8149
  http://www.tam.com.br/ir

  Press Agency Contact:
  Media Relations
  http://www.tam.com.br/http://www.taminforma.com.br/
  MVL Comunicacao
  Phone: (55) (11) 3594-0328
  

  About TAM (http://www.tam.com.br)/

TAM has been the leader in the Brazilian domestic market for more than four years, and held a 43.1% domestic market share and 84.5% international market share in December 2009. TAM operates regular flights to 42 destinations throughout Brazil and serves 82 different cities in the domestic market through regional alliances. Operations abroad include flights to 18 destinations in the United States, Europe and South America: New York , Miami and Orlando (USA), Paris (France), London (England), Milan (Italy), Frankfurt (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Santiago (Chile), Asuncion and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), Montevideo (Uruguay), Caracas (Venezuela) and Lima (Peru). We have code-share agreements that make possible the sharing of seats on flights with international airlines, enabling passengers to travel to 72 other destinations in the U.S., Europe and South America. We were the first Brazilian airline company to launch a loyalty program. Currently, the program has over 6.4 million subscribers and has awarded more than 9.2 million tickets.

Forward-looking statements:

This notice may contain forward-looking statements. These estimates merely reflect the expectations of the Company's management, and involve risks and uncertainties. The Company is not responsible for investment operations or decisions taken based on information contained in this release. These estimates are subject to changes without prior notice. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080221/SPTH002LOGO

http://photoarchive.ap.org/

DATASOURCE: TAM



CONTACT:  Libano Miranda Barroso, TAM, +011-55-11-5582-9715, fax,

+011-55-11-5582-8149,  



Web site:  http://www.tam.com.br/ 

Copyright