TAM Airlines: From Regional Taxi Flights to a Latin American Giant
For decades, TAM Airlines was one of Brazil’s most recognizable aviation brands — a company that grew from humble beginnings into a global carrier before merging with Chile’s LAN Airlines to create what we know today as LATAM Airlines Group. Though the TAM name has disappeared from the skies, its legacy continues to shape Brazilian aviation.
The Humble Beginnings: Táxi Aéreo Marília (1961–1970s)
TAM’s story started far from major airports and international routes. In 1961, in the city of Marília, São Paulo, a small air-taxi company named Táxi Aéreo Marília began offering charter services with just a few Cessna aircraft. Its mission was simple: serve remote communities and provide dependable regional connectivity.
This modest operation laid the foundation for what would become one of Latin America’s largest and most ambitious airlines.
The Rolim Era: A Visionary Takes Over
The transformation began when Commander Rolim Amaro, a charismatic pilot and entrepreneur, took control of the company in the 1970s. Rolim was known for a business philosophy centered on:
Highly personalized service
Strict operational discipline
A customer-first culture, symbolized by his famous red carpet welcome
Under Rolim’s leadership, the company expanded rapidly, launching scheduled regional routes and earning a reputation for reliability and warm Brazilian hospitality.
Becoming a National Powerhouse (1980s–1990s)
In the late 1980s, TAM evolved from a regional operator to a major national carrier. The acquisition of VOTEC helped expand the airline’s reach across Brazil, particularly in underserved regions.
By the early 1990s, TAM was flying to key Brazilian cities with a growing fleet of modern jets, including the Fokker 100 — an aircraft that became synonymous with the airline for many years.
TAM Goes Global (1998–2000s)
In 1998, TAM launched its first international long-haul service, flying between São Paulo and Miami. This milestone marked the company’s transformation into a global competitor.
Soon, TAM expanded to:
Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan)
The United States (New York, Orlando)
South American capitals
The airline’s growth was powered by modern widebody aircraft such as the Airbus A330 and later the Boeing 777.
A Leader in Brazil and South America
By the late 2000s, TAM had become Brazil’s largest airline by market share, fleet size, and number of passengers carried. It joined the Star Alliance in 2010, strengthening its global positioning and connectivity.
Despite the tragic accidents of Flight 402 (1996) and Flight 3054 (2007), TAM maintained a strong reputation for safety improvements, professionalism, and customer care.
The Merger That Changed Latin American Aviation (2010–2016)
In 2010, TAM announced a landmark merger with LAN Airlines, Chile’s leading carrier. Together, they aimed to create the most powerful airline group in Latin America.
The merger was officially completed in 2012, forming the LATAM Airlines Group — a network with unmatched reach from the southern tip of Chile to the Caribbean, North America, and Europe.
For a few years, the two brands operated separately under a unified corporate structure.
The End of the TAM Brand (2016)
In 2016, LATAM Airlines Group made a strategic decision to unify all operations under a single brand: LATAM. The iconic red TAM logo disappeared from aircraft, airports, and uniforms, replaced by LATAM’s modern blue-magenta identity.
Although the TAM name officially ended, its spirit — especially Commander Rolim’s service philosophy — still influences LATAM’s culture and operations.
Legacy of TAM Airlines
TAM may no longer fly, but its legacy in Brazilian aviation is undeniable:
It connected regions that had no air service
It brought Brazilian hospitality to the world stage
It helped professionalize and modernize the country’s aviation industry
It shaped the creation of LATAM, now one of the world’s largest airline groups
For millions of travelers, TAM represents a nostalgic era of Brazilian air travel — one defined by warmth, ambition, and a belief that Brazil could take to the skies on its own terms.
