Brazil - Brazzil Mag - Brazil's Aircraft Fleet Gets Younger: Average Age is 11 Years

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Brazil's TAM Airline has the newest aircraft fleet in Brazil, according to Avião Revue, a Brazilian publication specialized in aviation.

The magazine publishes in its January issue a cover story - The Age of All Brazilian Aircraft - showing that the average age of TAM's fleet is 7.1 years, compared to 11.2 in the sector.

Quite a feat when you know that bankrupted Vasp, for example, used to fly planes as old as 35 years.

The Avião Revue 2007 ranking includes all Brazilian airlines' aircraft, with information regarding each model, prefix, delivery and first flight date.

Concluded on December 10, 2006, this research shows TAM's total fleet grew from 80 to 93 aircraft in one year, as well as its average age decreased from 7.5 to 7.1 years. The total fleet in Brazil decreased from 279 to 264 aircraft in the same period.

TAM currently has 97 aircraft, including 76 Airbus models - 14 A319, 52 A320, and 10 A330. A new Airbus A320 aircraft was delivered from Airbus last weekend. With this new aircraft, the company strengthens its policy of operating a newer fleet, providing passengers with more comfort. The average age of TAM's Airbus fleet is 5.7 years.

TAM expects its fleet to have 109 airplanes at the end of 2007. The company fleet plan has contracts that still foresee the acquisition of 56 Airbus aircraft - 15 A319, 35 A320 and 6 A330 - to be delivered by 2010.

The contracts include the option of an additional 20 aircraft. The company also announced the acquisition of four new Boeing 777-300ER and four more options, with deliveries by 2008. TAM's strategic plan foresees an operational fleet of 132 Airbus aircraft by the end of 2010.

and no Embraer plane ?
written by ch.c., 2007-02-02 08:59:58

As per Brazilians, are the Embraer planes (not even for future delivery) not supposed to be the world best.... .in its catgegory ?????

Strange....strange.....that Brazilian Airlines buy foreign planes and almost NOOO Embraer planes.
They should have good reasons....in my view !

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written by Ric, 2007-02-02 15:38:05

The Embraer planes are not large enough for the major routes. They are used extensively for regional feeder lines.

What is interesting is the switch by TAM to some Boeing units. They used to advertise their preference for Airbus.....

To Ric !!!!!
written by ch.c., 2007-02-02 22:38:46

I am not so sure of what you say !
Here is what Embraer site says "With 98 passengers, the Embraer 190 has a range of 4,260km, allowing operation between city pairs such as Dallas to Bogota, Paris to Moscow, Hong Kong to Bombay and Brasilia to Santiago."

Not enough for SP/Rio or cities in the South of Brazil where most flights take place anyway since this is the most developped area with many cities ???

Hmmmm....in my view the reasons are elsewhere !!!!! Laugh ...laugh !!!

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written by Ric, 2007-02-03 02:29:16

The 737s and A320s normally run full on the major runs between capital cities, including pax and baggage and freight. Even the 190 which you cited, the largest size, can´t carry the load of a 737. Just believe it. Or not.

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written by someone, 2007-02-03 21:09:55

Although no public announcement has been officially made yet, TAM does have plans of phasing out the Fokkers and replacing them with Embraer aircraft. It's just a matter of time.

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written by Ric, 2007-02-05 01:34:35

Yes, I figured they would. I don´t who who handles spares and backup for the Fokkers still flying, maybe Daimler-Benz does.