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Changes at Congonhas Have Minimum Impact on TAM Operations
SAO PAULO, Brazil, September 14 /PRNewswire/ -- - Runway reductions, for safety reasons that allow for escape areas, have minimum impact on Airbus A319 or A320 flights The changes announced today by Brazil's Minister of Defense, Nelson Jobim, concerning the runway reductions at Congonhas by 300 meters to establish escape areas will not have much effect on TAM (Bovespa: TAMM4; NYSE: TAM) operations at the airport. Starting this weekend, landings and takeoffs by the Airbus A319 and A320, which make up the company's fleet, will be done exclusively using the main runway. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/SPTU001LOGO ) The A319 Airbus will continue to operate at Congonhas without restrictions under dry runway conditions, and with minimal restrictions for takeoff from wet runways. TAM has 15 planes of this type, seven of them for the Sao Paulo -- Rio de Janeiro shuttle service. The Airbus A320 will also continue to land and take off as usual, using the main runway when it is dry. When the runway is wet, there will be slight weight limitations for landing and takeoff. TAM has 62 A320 aircraft in its fleet. According to preliminary estimates, only 2% of TAM flights at Congonhas could be affected by the new runway configuration. As far as the number of flights is concerned to and from this airport there will be no immediate change. Investor Relations: Press Agency Contact: Phone: +55-11-5582-9715 Phone: +55-11-5582-8167 Fax: +55-11-5582-8149 Fax: +55-11-5582-8155 invest@tam.com.brwww.tam.com.br/ir tamimprensa@tam.com.br About TAM: TAM (www.tam.com.br) has been the leader in the Brazilian domestic market since July 2003, and held a 49.3% domestic market share and 65.3% international market share at the end of August 2007. Additionally, it maintains code-share agreements with international airline companies that allow passengers to travel to a large number of destinations throughout the world. TAM was the first Brazilian airline company to launch a loyalty program. Currently, the program has over 4.0 million subscribers and has awarded more than 4.3 million tickets. Web site: http://www.tam.com.br
