TAM Airlines began in 1961, with the name "Taxi Aereo Marília" (Marília Air Taxi). In 1971, one of the airline's pilots buys 33% of the airline's shares. In 1976, the pilot founds an airline with the name "Transportes Aereos Regionais" (Regional Air Transport). Both "TAM" and "TAR" Airlines were combined in 2000. This formed the TAM Airlines. In 2010, LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines were also combined. They formed the LATAM Airlines Group. 