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It has been announced that TAM Airlines is set to become a member of Star Alliance and will be integrated into the airline group over the next 12 to 18 months.TAM, which is the largest carrier in South America, will turn the Latin America region into a "hot spot" rather than a "white spot" on the Star Alliance world map, according to the coalition's chief executive Jaan Albrecht.He added: "TAM passengers are set to experience a whole new world of Star Alliance customer benefits while alliance customers can look forward to both an ideal network in Brazil and Latin America and excellent service on board and on the ground."David Barioni Neto, chief executive of TAM, said: "This is a very important step forward for TAM, as through our alliance membership we will gain further international brand recognition."From its base in Sao Paulo, Brazil, TAM flies to 16 domestic and international locations, including London Heathrow, and will bring 36 new destinations to the Star Alliance network.The

Bristol Airport has announced that it is bringing a range of local beers and ciders to its new bar through a partnership with SSP UK and Butcombe Brewery.Three regional favourites - Butcombe Bitter, Cold-Filtered Blond and Ashton Press Cider - are now on tap in the recently rebranded Zero9 bar.The offering is part of the 'sense of place' initiative at Bristol Airport, which makes use of the services of local suppliers to showcase the best of south-west England to international visitors.Nagesh Shikram, SSP UK bar manager at Bristol Airport, said: "Being able to enjoy a pint of Butcombe while relaxing before a flight is another point of difference for Bristol International compared to larger airports outside the region."Guy Newell, managing director of Butcombe Brewery, added: "Having our beer and cider stocked at the airport is a great opportunity to win new converts, as well as meaning loyal customers can enjoy their favourite pint every time they fly."Bristol Airport hosts flights ope

Lufthansa has announced that it is to enable its passengers to use online check-in and mobile boarding pass services on flights from Heathrow Airport.The carrier said that the initiative, which will involve services to almost 400 destinations in Europe, is the result of its selection of the UK as a "key launch market" outside Germany for its mobile boarding pass service.Users of the service, which will be introduced to additional UK and European departure points over the coming months, will be able to check in online and use mobile boarding passes on all Lufthansa non-stop flights to Germany and most onward destinations in Europe.The UK launch, which will take place on October 13th, follows the successful introduction of the mobile technology in Germany last summer, which involved about 1,000 daily flights out of the country.Marianne Sammann, Lufthansa's general manager in the UK and Ireland, said: "Selecting London Heathrow as one of the key launch markets outside Germany for the mobi