LATAM Brazilian Airlines was founded in 1961 by a group of 10 young single-engine pilots. At the time, they undertook the transportation of freight and passengers between Paraná and the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso. After six years, businessman Orlando Ometto acquired the group. The headquarters were moved to São Paulo and the airline changed its profile, beginning to transport only mail pouches. The year 2012 was a milestone in the history of TAM: the union of the company with LAN airlines and the creation of the LATAM Airlines Group which was finalised on 27 June. This association gives rise to one of the largest airline company groups in the world, providing passenger transport services to almost 150 destinations in 22 countries and cargo services for approximately 169 destinations in 27 countries.