TAM Airlines to be next Star Alliance member

It has been announced that TAM Airlines is set to become a member of Star Alliance and will be integrated into the airline group over the next 12 to 18 months.

TAM, which is the largest carrier in South America, will turn the Latin America region into a "hot spot" rather than a "white spot" on the Star Alliance world map, according to the coalition's chief executive Jaan Albrecht.

He added: "TAM passengers are set to experience a whole new world of Star Alliance customer benefits while alliance customers can look forward to both an ideal network in Brazil and Latin America and excellent service on board and on the ground."

David Barioni Neto, chief executive of TAM, said: "This is a very important step forward for TAM, as through our alliance membership we will gain further international brand recognition."

From its base in Sao Paulo, Brazil, TAM flies to 16 domestic and international locations, including London Heathrow, and will bring 36 new destinations to the Star Alliance network.

The airline already has codeshare agreements with Star Alliance members Air Canada, TAP Portugal, Lufthansa and United Airlines and will soon benefit from better connections with other allied carriers, including bmi and Swiss.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• British Airways strikes inflight entertainment deal
• Tunarama Festival to attract visitors to Australia
• Paphos Airport gets off to good start
• British Airways fliers to "breeze" through JFK
• Winter season underway in Austria
• Ski slopes opening in Alberta
• Air Berlin launches new flights from Stansted Airport