Santiago (Chile), Jun 24 (IANS): Lan Airlines, the flag carrier of Chile, and Brazil's Tam Airlines, have merged to create the LATAM Airlines Group, the largest airline in Latin America.

The merger will allow the group to fly to nearly 150 destinations in 22 countries, and transport cargo to 169 destinations in 27 nations, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

"The creation of this group is an opportunity to carry South America to the world," said Enrique Cueto, executive vice president of the new firm.

"In this way, we will be in a position to operate in an increasingly competitive scene, derived from the continuous consolidation of the world air sector," he said.

Mauricio Rolim Amaro, vice president of the board of directors of Tam, said that growth expected to be generated by the LATAM group "will contribute to offer new destinations to our clients and create more opportunities for our more than 51,000 employees".