Airbus has delivered its 4000th A320 Family aircraft to Brazilian flag carrier TAM from its Final Assembly Line in Hamburg. The aircraft, an A319, was handed over to TAM in the presence of the President of the Board of TAM, Maria Claudia Oliveira Amaro as well as Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders.

The aircraft is powered with IAE engines and configured in a comfortable single-class lay-out seating 144 passengers. On the A319’s ferry flight from Hamburg to Brazil, TAM will transport goods for schools for handicapped children in the region. The equipment was donated by Aviation without Borders Germany (LOG) and facilitated by the Airbus Foundation.

Maria Claudia Oliveira Amaro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TAM said: “TAM’s acquisition of the 4000th A320 Family aircraft is another milestone in our partnership with Airbus. It will be an even bigger excitement when TAM’s aircraft heads for Brazil, as it will also be contributing to an important initiative in the social responsibility arena.”

“The delivery of our 4000th A320 Family aircraft to TAM not only speaks for the tremendous success of the A320 programme, but also for our strong relationship with TAM , the largest Airbus operator in the Southern Hemisphere” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

Daniel Baubil, Executive Vice President A320 Family Programme added: “The A320 Family is without doubt the world’s most eco-efficient, modern and reliable aircraft family in its market segment. And the programme’s success will continue as constant improvements in aerodynamics, weight reduction, operational improvements and increased cabin comfort will further strengthen the A320 Family’s market leadership.”

In July more than 10,000 Airbus employees involved in the programme at all Airbus’ sites celebrated the production of the 4000th A320 Family aircraft.

TAM became an Airbus A319 operator in 1998 with a historic combined order of 90 aircraft together with the airlines TACA and LAN. Today the airline operates a fleet of 125 Airbus aircraft. More than 350 Airbus aircraft are in operation in Latin America with 22 carriers. This represents more than 40 per cent of aircraft over 100 seats in service in Latin America.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly–by-wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. More than 6,400 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to 221 customers worldwide, making it the world’s best-selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system.