Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines expects to decide this summer whether to keep its maintenance, repair and overhaul unit as an internal part of the airline or spin it off as a separate company, creating an opportunity for a new shareholder to acquire a portion of it.

"We have prepared the unit for two years to be a separate company," says Ruy Amparo, VP operations and MRO. The maintenance unit has been operating as if it were an independent company, quantifying every aspect of its operations and even producing profit and loss statements each quarter.

"We do not send invoices to TAM, but it has helped develop information for our outside customers," he notes. TAM also has studied the legal and tax implications, customs and other changes that a spin-off would entail.

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