MONTREAL, April 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeroplan today announced the addition
of Air Canada's partner TAM Airlines (TAM) to its growing roster of travel
partners. Effective April 28, 2009, Aeroplan Members can accumulate Aeroplan
Miles for travel with TAM Airlines of Brazil, bringing the total number of
airline partners to 32. Aeroplan Members will be able to redeem miles for TAM
flights shortly thereafter.
    TAM, a future Star Alliance partner, has been the leader in the Brazilian
domestic market since July 2003, closing March 2009 with a 49.3% domestic
market share. Among Brazilian airline companies operating international
flights, TAM's market share was 86.8% in March. The company operates regular
flights to 42 destinations throughout Brazil and it serves a total of 79
different cities in the domestic market through regional alliances. Its
overseas operations include direct flights to 18 destinations in the United
States, Europe and South America.
    "We're thrilled to be adding TAM Airlines as a partner, providing
Aeroplan Members with even more flight accumulation and redemption
opportunities," said Craig Landry, Senior Vice President, Partnerships and
Rewards, Aeroplan. "South America is a popular destination for our members. In
2008 alone, Aeroplan issued more than 3,500 reward flights to Brazil and over
13,000 reward flights to South America."
    Paulo Castello Branco, TAM's Commercial and Planning Vice President,
confirms that the partnership with Aeroplan will bring immediate benefits to
passengers. "The partnership of TAM Fidelidade Program with Aeroplan
strengthens our strategy of Service Excellence, one of the three pillars upon
which the company bases its performance, along with Technical-Operational
Excellence and Excellence in Management", said Castello Branco.

    About Aeroplan

    Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Aeroplan, Canada's premier
loyalty program, is owned by Groupe Aeroplan Inc., a leading international
loyalty management corporation. Aeroplan's millions of members earn Aeroplan
Miles with its growing network of over 70 world-class partners, representing
more than 150 brands in the financial, retail, and travel sectors. In 2008,
over 2 million rewards were issued to members including more than 1.5 million
round-trip flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance carriers which offer travel
to more than 900 destinations worldwide. In addition to flights, members also
have access to over 600 exciting specialty, merchandise, hotel, car rental and
experiential rewards.
    For more information about Aeroplan, please visit www.groupeaeroplan.com
or www.aeroplan.com.