SAO PAULO, Brazil, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TAM Linhas Aereas, TAM Mercosur and the LAN Alliance -- comprised of LAN Airlines, LAN Peru, LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador -- have decided to formalize a business alliance.

The agreement aims to develop partnerships in routes operated by these companies in South America, broadening passengers' options to fly to several destinations around the continent.

Thus, TAM will expand its flight offer in South America to include a more complete and diversified network for its passengers. In addition, clients of LAN Alliance companies will enjoy the ease of traveling routes operated by TAM and TAM Mercosur, with multiple hours and frequency options. This broad integration will be possible through the business alliance, which will be implemented within the next months.

One of the benefits passengers will enjoy with this business alliance is being able to travel with a single ticket from the beginning to the end of the route, in addition to the possibility of using the companies' VIP areas. Another advantage is the accrual of the TAM Fidelity Program and the LANPASS, benefiting passengers who travel frequently.

For TAM's CEO, Marco Antonio Bologna, the alliance with LAN represents an important step towards the regional integration process in South America, thus stimulating the distribution of passengers in the Brazilian, Chilean, Argentinean, Peruvian, Venezuelan and other markets. "TAM and LAN passengers can rely on a wider variety of flights while enjoying all of the advantages of both companies' fidelity programs," said Bologna, who points out that the agreement also reinforces TAM's strategy of maintaining partnerships with leading companies in the markets where it operates.

Enrique Cueto, LAN's vice-chief executive officer, said, "Thanks to this agreement, our passengers will enjoy an excellent network that will make their travels easier. This will encourage commercial agreements already existing between the countries, fomenting tourism and bilateral cooperation in the region."