LATAM takes delivery of 200th A320 aircraft at Paris Air Show

LATAM Airlines Group, the holding company for LAN and TAM Airlines, took (18-Jun-2013) delivery of its 200th A320 aircraft at Le Bourget Paris Air Show. The TAM A320 is equipped with sharklets and powered by CFM engines. LATAM Airlines Group chief corporate officer Roberto Alvo said: "We are very happy to receive our 200th Airbus A320 at the 50th Paris Air Show, a truly momentous occasion that reflects the important relationship Airbus, LAN, TAM and now LATAM have shared since 1998. The A320 has been a key element to the company's growth over the years and success in South America." LATAM received its first sharklet-equipped aircraft in Apr-2013. LATAM has ordered a total of 380 aircraft, has almost 250 aircraft in operation and their joint Airbus backlog is nearly 170, making them the third largest airline customer and third largest operator of Airbus aircraft in the world. The airline group is also the largest A320 operator in Latin America and one of the largest in the world. With more than 760 aircraft sold and a backlog that exceeds 360, more than 500 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In the last 10 years, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, while delivering more than 60% of all aircraft operating in the region. [more - original PR]