OREANDA-NEWS. TAM Airlines, a company related to LATAM Airlines Group, will join oneworld® with effect from 31 March 2014, adding the leading carrier in Brazil - Latin America's biggest economy and largest market for air travel demand - to the world's leading quality global airline alliance.

Confirmation today of its oneworld joining date comes on the same day that LAN becomes part of oneworld, offering the alliance's full range of services and benefits, from the start of operations this morning.

The addition of TAM from 31 March 2014 and LAN Colombia today will mean all passenger airlines in LATAM Airlines Group, Latin America's leading airline group, will be part of oneworld. LAN Airlines has been a full member of oneworld since 2000. All its other passenger airline affiliates have subsequently joined the alliance as affiliate members - LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador, LAN Peru and, from today, LAN Colombia - and now TAM from 31 March and with its Paraguayan affiliate to follow on a date yet to be confirmed.

This consolidates oneworld's position as the leading alliance for flights within Latin America and between the region and both the United States and Europe - the two most popular destinations for South American international travellers.

TAM's entry into oneworld with effect from the first flights on 31 March 2014 will follow immediately upon its exit from the Star Alliance with effect from the final flights on 30 March 2014.

The airline and oneworld are taking every effort to ensure that the alliance transition is as seamless as possible for customers.

TAM underlined today that all members of its Fidelidade frequent flyer programme will maintain all points earned and their respective tier status, according to the applicable conditions of the programme.

As it becomes part of the group on 31 March 2014, TAM's network will be covered by oneworld's range of alliance fares - the most extensive offered by any of the global alliances, including the market-leading oneworld Explorer round-the-world fare and its Visit South America pass.

TAM serves 60 destinations in 16 countries in Latin America, the USA and Europe, with a fleet of 161 aircraft operating 800 departures daily. It boarded 38 million passengers in 2012.

Four of oneworld's established members - American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and LAN - currently serve a total of seven destinations in Brazil. TAM will expand the alliance's coverage of Brazil, one of the world's most rapidly developing economies, to 42 destinations.

Across South America, oneworld's established member airlines already serve 71 destinations in 11 countries. TAM and LAN Colombia add another 56 airports in the region to that network, giving oneworld one of the most extensive alliance networks serving the continent.

oneworld's CEO Bruce Ashby said: “As the leading airline in Latin America's biggest economy, Brazil, TAM's addition represents a significant landmark in oneworld's journey to establish itself as the first choice airline alliance for frequent international travellers the world over. We look forward to welcoming TAM and its customers on board the world's premier global airline alliance with effect from 31 March next year.”

TAM Airlines' CEO Claudia Sender added: “We want to introduce Brazil to our new partners and welcome them into our country. In the coming months, we will continue working to ensure a smooth transition for everyone. We also want our passengers to learn about the benefits, connections and products offered by oneworld so they can travel the world with us.”

From its gateway of Santiago in South America, Qantas customers will be able to enjoy increased connections to TAM's broad network, and Qantas Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn or redeem points on TAM flights.

LATAM Airlines Group SA is the new name given to LAN Airlines SA as a result of its association with TAM SA. LATAM Airlines Group SA now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as well as TAM SA and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas SA, including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur SA, (TAM Airlines (Paraguay)) and Multiplus SA. This association creates one of the largest airline groups in the world in terms of network connections, providing passenger transport services to about 135 destinations in 22 countries and cargo services to about 144 destinations in 27 countries, with a fleet of 323 aircraft. In total, LATAM Airlines Group SA has more than 54,000 employees and its shares are traded in Santiago, as well as on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, and Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, in the form of BDRs. Each airline will continue to operate under their current brands and identities.